My name is Andy. I am, and always will be, an addict. That doesn’t mean what you think it means.
Addiction is an incurable disease. It can be managed, but you can never truly be done with it. For nearly 15 years, I abused both drugs and alcohol. I have been in recovery for a little over a decade. I’ve been in control of my addiction for almost as long as it has controlled me. However, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a daily struggle to maintain that control.
I became an addict long before I learned the definition of the word. What is the definition of addiction? If you look it up on a search engine, you’ll find that there are a multitude of definitions from various dictionaries and fields of medicine. One of the most comprehensible definitions is as follows:
A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works.
The words chronic and relapse are essential to understanding addiction. In medical terms, a chronic disease is one that lasts more than 3 months. If you have been unable to stop regular intake of a specific substance(s) for over 3 months, it’s safe to say that you have an addiction. Relapse is when a previous state of sickness returns. This is the part that you need to pay heed to. Relapse is ever looming in the background. If you are a recovering addict, relapse is your shadow. I learned that the hard way.
I had my first drink at the tender age of nine. My cousin found me drunk after I had just one small cup of alcohol that I had snuck away from the adult table at a family party. Perhaps he should have let my parents find me intoxicated. Alas, I got away with it the first time and many times after that. Before long, drinking wasn’t enough so I turned to marijuana. Soon after, I became dependant on an increasingly powerful cocktail of drugs and alcohol to achieve my coveted highs. My substance abuse and resulting behavior won me a 2-year sentence in prison.
The uncomfortable abundance of alone time, over which I had no control, inspired me to turn my life around when I got out of prison.
I was convinced that my time in lockup made me stronger, and could overcome my addiction on my own. I simply had to abstain from drugs and alcohol – or so I thought. At first, I thought it worked. I later learned that although I rejected the original objects of my addiction, I replaced them with something else. Instead of learning to manage my addiction, I dove head first into something that could sublimate it.
I allowed my work to take over every facet of my life. This kept me busy for a while. However, my body still craved the familiar highs of my youth and before I knew it, I relapsed.
This time, my guilt got the best of me and I nearly ended my own life. Fortunately, my mother found me just in time. She took me to the hospital and a few days later I found myself in rehab.
My path to long-term recovery began differently compared to other addicts I have crossed paths with along the way. However, after a certain point, I found that there are 5 definitive steps that every addict takes on their journey to successfully managing addiction.
In this article, we will be exploring the 5 steps that every recovering addict must take in order to achieve consistent success.
1 – The Problem
Overlooking this first and crucial step resulted in my near fatal relapse. When I got out of prison, I was certain that I would be able to control my addiction with sheer willpower and determination. I was wrong.
An addict is controlled by their disease. As much as you attempt to convince yourself otherwise, you have absolutely no power over your addiction. The first step is admitting that this is a problem.
Once addicts are able to admit to themselves that addiction is a problem and that they are rendered powerless in its grasp, solutions can be found. Treatment is necessary. Help is vital. Simply ignoring the problem or naively trying to solve it on your own can prove to be fatal.
2 – Seek Change
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Ever heard that one? The same applies in regards to addiction. You cannot expect to manage your addiction if you continue to go through the same routines. You need change.
The first step is admitting to yourself that you are an addict. The second is to seek change. The best way to do that is to confess your addiction to others that can help you get better. Parents, significant others, children, close friends, and doctors can aid you in finding methods and resources to start the treatment process.
3 – The Treatment
Effective treatment consists of 3 separate components.
The first is assisted assessment of addiction. This includes its root causes, severity, triggers, and effects.
The second component is to seek guidance from a qualified professional about your next steps.
The last, and equally important, is continued counseling.
The good news is that there are a number of options for addicts hoping to achieve recovery such as rehabilitation centers, in and outpatient clinics, therapy, AA & NA meetings (these are free), and even religious support groups.
A complete and inclusive treatment plan can be the difference between a healthy recovery and reassuring relapse.
4 – Strength & Dedication
Admitting your addiction to yourself and others as well as seeking treatment is a good start. However, the hard part is not over. Recovery requires continued dedication. Day in and day out, a recovering addict must be dedicated to their sobriety.
Do as much as you can to take care of yourself, transform your life so you end up loving yourself to the fullest. Strengthen both body and mind so that those pesky substance abuse triggers can lose their effect on you. I was able to do this by joining various groups, clubs, and classes over the years. I’ve tried everything from gym memberships to art therapy and a vast majority of them have truly helped me in many ways.
Avoiding relapse in a way that becomes easier is the goal. Seek the help of a professional to build a prevention plan.
A large part of this journey to recovery is also acknowledging and repairing relationships with loved ones. Especially those who are a part of your life who truly love and support your well being.
5 – Celebrate
Once again, recovering from addiction is a never-ending process. Addiction has no cure, and can only be managed. Sometimes, addicts can lose morale or become tired of the constant effort necessary to stay sober. This is especially true in times of distress.
That is why it is important to celebrate your success. At the beginning of your journey, you can count the days. After the three year mark, I started to celebrate every anniversary of my sobriety to help strengthen my resolve and boost my enthusiasm. This helps a great deal. If ever I feel myself on the brink of wavering, I remember that if I keep on, I will have something to celebrate.
Over the years, it has become less and less difficult to continue my never-ending journey to recovery. If you are looking to turn your life around, be sure to admit that there is a problem, make changes for the better, and seek a treatment plan. Once you’ve gone that far, dedication and celebration are what will keep you going.
Any additional help, support, guidance, or tips gained from personal experience are more than welcome. Feel free to share in the comment section.
Photo Credits
Photo is pixabay creative commons
Guest Author Bio
Andrew Macia
Hi, my name is Andy! I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, but raised in Los Angeles, California. I spend my time helping others with their recovery and growing my online business.
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