Beating Addiction: 5 Tried and Tested Techniques

An estimated 10% of American adults struggle with a drug use disorder at some point in their lives. The statistics on alcohol abuse are even higher.

That means that if you’re struggling with substance abuse, you’re not alone. It also means that there are many tried and true ways to approach beating addiction.

Oftentimes, you’ll find the most success by adopting more than one method to approach recovery from substance abuse.

Read on to learn five methods that may help you overcome addiction.

1. Approaching Recovery Through Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the act of staying rooted in the present moment. The concept is that oftentimes, our feelings of fear, anxiety, or discontentment come from analyzing our past or worrying about our future. Many people incorporate mindfulness exercises like yoga and meditation into their addiction recovery process.

2. Seeking Treatment For Drugs and Alcohol

One of the absolute best things you can do for yourself when you’re beating addiction is to join an addiction program. This can be particularly crucial in the early stages of your recovery. Addiction programs provide a safe and monitored space for detox, therapy, medical treatment, and more.

3. Ongoing Therapy Sessions

Whether you attend an addiction program at a rehab center or not, ongoing therapy sessions can be very beneficial. Many people who struggle with addiction also show signs of depression, anxiety, and other manageable mental illnesses. By seeking cognitive therapy to boost your mental health, you can continuously work through problems that may, in the past, have led to substance use.

4. Community-Based Support Groups

Take a look at the resources (often free) that your community may offer. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and sober living housing can help you stay on track. The purpose of these support programs is to create a space where you can talk openly about your struggles, build new and positive relationships, and increase your feelings of accountability.

5. Staying Focused On Your Reasons For Recovery

One thing that you can do for yourself every day while beating addiction is to remind yourself of your reasoning. Who are the people who want to see you succeed? What life changes do you hope to attain by getting and staying sober?

There will be days when maintaining sobriety isn’t easy. Keeping a list of your reasons for recovery can be helpful on those difficult days. Review your list and reaffirm to yourself that sobriety is achievable and worthwhile.

Beating Addiction Is Possible

Many Americans are struggling with substance abuse problems and, like you, have decided that beating addiction is the next step toward living their life to the fullest. These tried and tested techniques will help you on your road to recovery and in the process of maintaining your sobriety. Give them a shot to find what works best for you.

Are you looking for more ways to manage or improve your health? Take a look at our health section for content on common health problems, guides to symptoms, and treatment how-tos.