If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction of any kind, you will understand just how frightening it can be. You often feel as though you do not have control over what is happening to you. It can also mean that you are incredibly isolated and feel distant from those who love you. However, it is important to remember that you are not your addiction. You are strong, brave, and loved. You can and will recover.
With a new year around the corner, you can begin to think about starting on a clean slate. Here are three things to remember as you start your journey.
You are loved.
As mentioned previously, addiction can be very isolating. This is because addiction often makes you push people away, especially if you don’t want them to see you at your worst. Sometimes, it feels as though people have turned their back on you, too.
However, it is important to remember that there are people out there that love and care for you, no matter what you may have been through. Whenever you are ready to reach out, know that there are ways of rebuilding broken relationships. Start slowly. Reach out to old friends. They’re probably already waiting for the call.
You can do this.
When you try to quit, your addiction will tell you that it is not possible. It will make you feel as though recovery is not on the table for you, that you will always need to turn back to it when things get tough. However, this is not true. Recovery is possible. But it is hard work. You have to be willing to make a real change.
Though you may want to do this alone, you will probably need additional help and support. Reach out to your friends and family, attend therapy and support groups, or consider entering a treatment facility, such as a rehabilitation center.
Right now, ‘rehab’ may seem terrifying. By entering rehab, you are acknowledging that you have a problem - which requires a lot of self-acceptance. It seems very final, and therefore not something you want to get on board with right away. However, entering rehab is an excellent step toward recovery. It means you are putting yourself before your addiction. You will be surrounded by other people on a similar journey who can offer you support and guidance along the way.
You may also not want to attend rehab as you are worried about the associated costs. Thankfully, there are many different ways of paying for addiction treatment. For example, you may be able to cover the cost of your treatment with your insurance or find a way to pay back in small, manageable installments.
Don’t give up.
Recovery is not easy. It will be difficult. There will be times when you feel like giving up. However, it is important that you do not give up - no matter how long and winding the road ahead may seem. It will all be worth it in the end, and there are better, brighter times ahead for you.