Substance abuse is such a debilitating problem for many people because they struggle to break a cycle of addiction to drugs or alcohol. While drug dependence differs for each individual, the addiction cycle is often the same. This guide reviews how to break the cycle of addiction so you can begin making more positive choices in your life and developing the coping skills you need to address your addictive behaviors.
Accepting and Seeking Help for Drug or Alcohol Abuse
Many people find it impossible to break the cycle on their own, and there’s a good reason for this. Most addictions are due to chemical changes in our brains, and we require assistance to break free from them. The first step is to stop denying you have a problem and seek help.
Many people who struggle with drug or alcohol problems feel isolated or misunderstood. Speaking with professionals who understand how addiction works and what you’re going through is essential. You may need a combination of several different treatment approaches if your problem behaviors are linked to a mental health problem or if you struggle with intense cravings following rehabilitation.
Aftercare is also an essential component of care. Your journey is just beginning after rehab, and you should work with your team to develop a recovery plan that includes support for an extended period after your stay.
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Understanding the Cycle of Addiction
The cycle of addiction has four distinct stages: the trigger, drug or alcohol use, the consequences, and the craving for the next fix. Understanding these stages of a substance use disorder is important because it allows you to seek help when you notice you’re about to slip into the pattern.
A drug addiction trigger could be as simple as peer pressure or as complex as a series of events that make you need to turn to drug use. Often, underlying mental health issues such as anxiety or depression trigger the need for drinking alcohol or drug abuse.
Addiction develops during the use stage. People with substance use disorders enter a toxic cycle at this stage, where a full-blown addiction begins. You may have a physical dependence on drugs or alcohol after repeated use, making it more challenging to avoid using in the future.
The consequences of drug and alcohol abuse can include intense withdrawal symptoms, worsening mental health concerns, and chronic brain disease. It may impact your relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers. Many people begin to perform poorly at work and risk losing their jobs unless they seek help with their addictions.
The addiction cycle for substance abuse starts over when you begin to crave drugs or alcohol. Intense cravings and withdrawals make you return to drug or alcohol abuse, especially if coupled with one of your triggers for use. You may attempt to quit independently but find your psychological or physical dependence has become too strong.
Accepting and Seeking Help for Drug or Alcohol Abuse
Many people find it impossible to break the cycle on their own, and there’s a good reason for this. Most addictions are due to chemical changes in our brains, and we require assistance to break free from them. The first step is to stop denying you have a problem and seek help.
Many people who struggle with drug or alcohol problems feel isolated or misunderstood. Speaking with professionals who understand how addiction works and what you’re going through is essential. You may need a combination of several different treatment approaches if your problem behaviors are linked to a mental health problem or if you struggle with intense cravings following rehabilitation.
Aftercare is also an essential component of care. Your journey is just beginning after rehab, and you should work with your team to develop a recovery plan that includes support for an extended period after your stay.
Exploring Treatment Options for Substance Abuse
Whether you’ve developed an addiction to self-medicate for a mental illness or turned to drugs to escape stressful situations, the first step to breaking these habits is to seek help. Most people require a treatment plan that suits their unique needs and schedule, which is why multiple forms of therapy are available.
Detox
A detox program helps you address physical withdrawals when you stop using drugs or alcohol. These effects don’t just include strong cravings for drugs, they can become severely debilitating. Medical staff can administer medications to help you slowly eliminate your body’s dependence on illicit substances so you’re more likely to stick to your treatment plan.
Partial Hospitalization
Partial hospitalization plays an essential role in helping many people discover the underlying cause of their dependency and what steps they can take to control their desire to use alcohol or drugs. A partial hospitalization program provides around-the-clock care from trained professionals. You’re able to meet and participate in therapy with other individuals who are struggling with addiction.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient treatment is a good choice for people who either completed an inpatient treatment plan or couldn’t take enough time off for inpatient care. It includes therapy sessions designed to help you develop positive habits, know when to seek help, and break the cycle of dependency.
Developing Coping Skills and Strategies
One of the keys to breaking an addiction cycle is to develop coping mechanisms and strategies you can implement when you encounter potential triggers. In addition to having a strong support system, some of the skills you could learn during recovery include the following.
People with a lot of stress are at higher risk of returning to addiction. Learning to meditate allows you to address your feelings with a clearer mind. Meditating can also offer an alternative to using alcohol or drugs so that you break the cycle.
Physical activity can help you feel less stressed, and some studies suggest it may relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and dependence. Your body releases feel-good chemicals during physical activity that can make you feel better if you crave alcohol or drugs.
Chronicling your progress doesn’t just reveal patterns in your behavior that you can study. It also lets you see that sobriety is possible. With each passing day comes new success, and you can use the diary to express your feelings, fears, and struggles throughout your journey.
This therapy focuses on breathing techniques and activities you can turn to instead of feeding an addiction. By deflecting from your habit of substance abuse to listening to music, taking a walk, or focusing on your breathing, you can reduce your psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol.
Embracing a Balanced Lifestyle in Recovery
Rehab is just the first step in your recovery. You must take recovery one day at a time and ask for help whenever you’re struggling. Recognizing when you’re feeling the need to drink or use drugs allows you to reach out to support system members for assistance.
One effective way to break the cycle of addiction is to create a balanced lifestyle that includes a reward system for each step in the process. While you may be tempted to drink or use drugs in the future, you’ll have the tools you need to maintain control over your life.
Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated
Everyone who quits using addictive substances faces roadblocks. During your recovery, you should learn how to identify and overcome these challenges on the path to a better life. With the right treatment strategies, support network, and tools at your disposal, you can succeed in breaking the cycle of addiction for good.
Trust Camelback Recovery to Help You Break the Addiction Cycle
Camelback Recovery’s addiction treatment centers in Phoenix, Arizona, can set you on the path to taking back control of your life. Call us today at 602-466-9880 to speak with someone who understands what you’re going through and can help you explore your treatment options.
