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8 Ways to effectively combat drug addiction

The complex brain disease of drug addiction is characterized by compulsive and sometimes even uncontrollable behavior of a person for drug seeking and craving. The behavior persists even when the affected person faces negative consequences. Stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens are the mainly abused drugs which can cause drug addiction. Relapse of the disease can occur even after long time periods of abstinence from drug misuse and abuse. You can use the below given ways for combating drug addiction in a more effective way.

Admit being a drug addict

You can combat drug addiction more effectively by being completely honest to yourself and to others. You must admit that you are abusing drugs and have become an drug addict. False denials to oneself and to others are obstacles in dealing with drug addiction. You must realize that there is a problem and believe that the problem has a solution. Self realization is the first step of treatment. You can motivate yourself in a better way if you know that you are suffering from a problem and should get out of it in order to be fit and healthy. Values and motivation can help you to fight drug addiction in a better way.

Avoid going to places where drug abuse can occur

You must understand that drug addiction is your own problem and that relying on somebody else to stop abusing drugs is not the solution. The other person might not be willing to get free of drug abuse and addiction. You must also stop going to places where drug abuse is done, as they can act as a trigger and might lead you to start abusing drugs again. You must end your friendships with those who are drug addicts or who abuse drugs. You must also scrutinize your immediate environment and surrounding and see whether there is anything that might act as an trigger for drug abuse, such things should be removed immediately.

Have the right food, diet, supplements and medications

While fighting drug addiction and drug abuse, you might face certain withdrawal symptoms. You will need mental strength for facing these symptoms and therefore it is necessary for you to have the right food. The easy-to-eat and nutritious food items like soups can be good during such time periods. A good amount of protein intake is very important as it will help you to keep the blood sugar at an optimum level. A diet which has good amounts of raw food items and low sugar content is better (high sugar food items can cause mood swings). .A good amount of essential fatty acids and omega 3s can be beneficial and therefore you should ensure that your diet has dark green leafy vegetables in it.

Cleansing, detoxing and fasting on a regular basis will keep your body clean. While fasting, you can consume one of the following: dark grapes, water melon, juiced vegetables or water.

For reducing stress, for normal functioning of the brain, for detoxing, for fighting withdrawal symptoms and for other purposes some people also take supplements and medications like vitamin B complex, l-glutamine, calcium and magnesium, glutathione, l-phenylalaline, vitamin c, zinc, etc. You should consult your doctor about taking these supplements and medications.

Attend a local support group

Many issues can arise when you combat drug addiction. You can face and solve these issues in a much better way by attending a support group. You can attend a support group in your area like the Smart Recovery group or the Narcotics Anonymous group. Groups like Narcotics Anonymous are not only for those who want to leave narcotics but are for all kinds of drug abuse rehabilitation including marizuana. Smart Recovery can help you to learn the self management techniques which can be very helpful in learning the ways of abstaining from alcohol, drugs and other kinds of addictive behavior. Your local newspaper can provide you the upcoming events of these groups on different dates. You can select the ones that are more appropriate for you and attend them on their due dates.

Evaluate your beliefs and thoughts

There can be certain thoughts and beliefs that might contribute towards drug addiction. Some of these include occurrence of low self esteem levels; perfection desires; intimacy, belonging and anger issues; a desire for instant gratification, etc. Some events might have occurred in the past phases of your life that might cause these negative thoughts. You can identify and work on understanding the negative thoughts and issues. For being more precise in approach you can keep a journal as well. This will help you to remove your negative thoughts and you will have a more positive frame of mind. This can be very important during the withdrawal period. You can also reach a friend who is not a drug addict and get his/her help to get through the worst phases of withdrawal.

Visit a licesed counsellor

You can get the appointment of a licensed counselor and visit him/her for getting professional help on the drug addiction problem. By counselor’s help and advise, you will be able to cope with the withdrawal symptoms in a much better way. He/she will also correct your drug abuse thoughts and feelings. You can ask the counselor to evaluate your mental condition for other kinds of disorders also including the bipolar disorder and depression. You should not hide anything form your counselor and should tell him all the facts relating to your drug abuse and addiction in a fair manner. By knowing your history of drug abuse in a detailed and true manner, the counselor will be able to provide you precise counseling. You should work along with your counselor to beat drug addiction. By cooperating with him/her fully during treatment, you will get results in less time.

Have new interests and hobbies

You can avoid the places and events which trigger drug abuse behavior in you and opt for new interests and hobbies that can make you more constructive. You can do exercises, meditation, yoga, etc., on a routine basis. These exercise will make you strong mentally and physically and will give you more will and resistance towards fighting drug addiction. You will be able to enhance your self esteem by performing these activities regularly which will be crucial in giving you a more positive attitude. You should develop other interests like volunteering for a social organization, for a zoo, for a nursing home, etc. This will make you feel better. You can also participate in sports activities, can learn playing a musical instrument, etc.

Consider more intensive treatment options

There can be conditions when counseling and self help measures prove to be inefficient in fighting with drug addiction. These are the more severe of cases which can be treated only by more intensive treatment techniques. These techniques include attending long-term out-patient treatment for drug abuse and addiction, taking of psychiatric medication or residing for a short/long term in a treatment facility for in-patient treatment. The treatment focuses on the stoppage of drug abuse, maintenance of lifestyle that is free of drug abuse and making the individual productive in his society, workplace and family. Since addiction is a kind of chronic disease, treatment can often be long term.

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