Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 6: Making a Decision
• Part 2 of 6: Professional Help
• Part 3 of 6: Self-help group
• Part 4 of 6: Quitting Old Habits
• Part 5 of 6: A Healthy Body and Mind
• Part 6 of 6: Daily life without drugs
• Tips
• Warnings

Do not think that you cannot get rid of drug addiction - with perseverance and patience, you will defeat this ailment. Start by identifying the reasons for quitting drugs, as this will help you stay strong throughout the process. Then make a plan and rely on the support of self-help groups and others to start a drug-free life.

Steps

Part 1 of 6: Making a Decision

1. 1 Make it your goal to fight drug addiction. You may not be able to do this overnight, but setting a goal will help you determine your next steps.
2. 2 Write down the consequences of using drugs that negatively affect your life. This way you can change your behavior. Do not write general expressions ("this is ruining my life" or "I will not get what I want"); write down how your life has changed since you started using drugs. Writing on paper may shock you, but having a list like this will help you overcome your addiction.
3. 3 Should you stop using drugs and you experience withdrawal symptoms (withdrawal symptoms)? You are definitely a drug addict. This state is the absolute opposite of drug intoxication. Withdrawal symptoms are expressed in constant fatigue and excitement, and drug intoxication - in a surge of strength and relaxation.
   • Keep a journal and record information about your well-being in it. Depending on the drug you use, you may have problems with your skin, internal organs, and teeth. Even if you just lost weight or look older, write it down.
4. 4 The addict may neglect responsibilities, such as not going to school or work, not cleaning the house, not paying bills. The addict's world revolves exclusively around drug use. Drug addiction is a serious problem that requires drastic measures to be taken.
   • Write down how often you have been to work or school lately.Think about how you feel about your responsibilities.
   • Write down how much money you spend on drugs (per day, week, month, and year).
5. 5 The addict forgets about family and friends, because he only cares about drugs. A drug addict tries to avoid the company of close people who are worried about his condition.
   • Fighting with family or friends about your addiction to drugs is a sign of your drug addiction.
6. 6 One of the manifestations of drug addiction is constant lies and theft of valuable items or money (to pay for drugs), especially from loved ones. Drug addiction has a detrimental effect not only on health, but also on human behavior (since he decides to steal).
   • The lies and shame that the addict experiences for their behavior are part of drug addiction.
7. 7 The addict forgets about his hobbies and interests, because he thinks only about drugs. Switch from using drugs to some hobby (climbing, dancing, collecting stamps, playing a musical instrument, learning a foreign language).
   • Anyone who can focus on their hobbies can overcome drug addiction.
8. 8 Drug use negatively affects your life (addicts have problems at school, at work, in the family, with the law and with health). Unlike most people, arrest for a drug addict is an ordinary event that is quickly forgotten.
   • You may have been arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs or possession of drugs.
   • If you are a drug addict, then you will alienate your family, friends and loved one.
9. 9 Write down positive changes after quitting drugs. How has your life changed? Undoubtedly, you will get rid of or minimize the negative moments that have been associated with drug use.

Part 2 of 6: Professional Help

1. 1 See a narcologist; this doctor will give you advice on how to treat your drug addiction.
   • Your doctor will most likely recommend that you go to a drug treatment center to begin cleansing your system under medical supervision. This is especially important if you have been using opiates or benzodiazepines. Detoxifying the body from these substances can be very painful and sometimes fatal.
2. 2 Go to a drug treatment clinic or drug rehabilitation center if you have used barbiturates, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, opiates, or benzodiazepines, as detoxifying these substances is life-threatening and can lead to heart failure, stroke and seizures (therefore, it is important to cleanse body under the supervision of doctors).
   • Even if you do not experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, there are other side effects that make it difficult to recover from drug addiction, such as feelings of anxiety and hallucinations.
   • Withdrawal symptoms do not allow many drug addicts to overcome drug addiction. Therefore, it is best to overcome this condition under the supervision of professionals who will help you cope with the consequences of quitting drug use.
   • If you are under arrest, you may be allowed to visit a hospital. Take this opportunity.
3. 3 In addition to medical (drug addiction) programs, successful treatment includes individual and group consultations. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you change the way you think about drugs.
   • It is not uncommon for many people with drug problems to have associated mental health problems such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression. A psychotherapist experienced in treating these disorders can help with both them and drug addiction.
   • The therapist can also use motivational interviewing to help you recognize what is holding you back from quitting drugs.
   • Your doctor or rehabilitation center can help you find the right psychotherapist who specializes in addiction problems.
4. 4 In order to defeat drug addiction, you will need help in various aspects of your life (because addiction affects almost every aspect of a person's life). Be prepared to seek help to improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
   • Consider seeking help from a family therapist, fitness trainer, financial counselor, or any other expert who can help you get your life back on track.

Part 3 of 6: Self-help group

1. 1 Addicts who become members of self-help groups are more likely to recover. The 12 Steps program is one of the most effective programs for getting rid of alcohol and drug addiction.
   • Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are the most famous communities (self-help groups) that support alcoholics and drug addicts in their quest to get rid of these scourges.
   • There are other self-help groups, for example, SMART Recovery, which helps to get rid of any addiction.
   • Become a member of several self-help groups to choose the one that's right for you.
   • Look online for a local self-help group.
   • Admit that you are sick. Addiction is a disease that changes the structure of the brain. When you admit that you are suffering from an illness, it will be easier for you to deal with your drug addiction.
2. 2 In many self-help groups, newcomers are assigned mentors (ex-alcoholics or drug addicts who have overcome their addiction) to help them get through the recovery program.
3. 3 Provide support to other people in your self-help group. These groups include people who find themselves in the same situation as you and experience similar feelings of despair and shame. Provide support to recover and become responsible.

Part 4 of 6: Quitting Old Habits

1. 1 Plan your day to break old habits. Do things every day that will allow you to achieve your goals, such as graduating from high school, starting a family, or finding a job. Eventually, you will develop healthy habits that will keep you from using drugs.
2. 2 Keep track of your daily tasks to stay on top of what you are doing. To do this, start a diary and write down what you have to do in it.
   • Leave space for notes and, if you are at a dead end, write there who can help you get out of this situation.
   • If you don’t have family or friends to help you get out of the impasse, it’s okay to seek the help of a therapist.
3. 3 Be honest with yourself about the people you interact with and the places you visit. Do not interact with drug addicts and do not go to appropriate establishments.
   • For example, don't go where drug addicts gather just to test your willpower. Likewise, do not meet people from whom you once bought drugs. This indicates a subconscious desire to return to drug use.
4. 4 Be patient. In addition to physical dependence, you may develop emotional dependence, that is, a craving for what you have done in the past. Be patient, as it will take time to get out of old habits.
5. 5 Find people to support you in your drug addiction quest. Relatives and friends will help you along the path to recovery.
   • You can also rely on people who have gone through a similar situation. They will help you achieve your goals.
   • Choose people who do not have drug addiction so as not to seduce yourself.

Part 5 of 6: A Healthy Body and Mind

1. 1 Exercise regularly to relieve the stress of quitting drugs.
   • Start going to the gym or work out with a personal trainer. This will improve your health.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Lauren Urban, LCSW

   
   
   Licensed Psychotherapist Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist based in Brooklyn, New York with over 13 years of experience in therapeutic work with children, families, couples and individual clients. She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006. He specializes in working with members of the LGBTQ + community and with clients planning or in the process of getting rid of drug or alcohol addiction.

   Lauren Urban, LCSW
   Licensed psychotherapist

   Ask your partner to start practicing with you. Psychotherapist Lauren Urban says: “If you have a partner, it will definitely be beneficial to involve him in activities aimed at improving the body. Better even ask him to join you in your class. ”

2. 2 Eat right. To do this, find a nutrition program on the Internet or contact a nutritionist. Eating a healthy diet will help restore your drug-damaged health.
3. 3 Do yoga. Yoga is a combination of exercise and meditation that will help strengthen your health and mind. Practice yoga several times a week for 15-30 minutes to deal with stress and urge to use alcohol or drugs.
4. 4 Meditate. Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and focus on your breathing.
   • For meditation, find a comfortable and quiet place to sit there for 10-15 minutes.
   • Concentrate on your breathing, taking regular and deep breaths.
   • Ignore the thoughts in your head. Focus exclusively on breathing.
5. 5 Take an acupuncture course. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment in which needles are inserted at specific points on the body. This method will help you cope with withdrawal symptoms and discomfort.
   • In most cases, medical insurance (in the CIS countries and Russia) does not cover acupuncture.
6. 6 See a therapist for as long as you need his help. You can also visit a specialist with relatives to solve problems together.

Part 6 of 6: Daily life without drugs

1. 1 Plan a drug-free life. Include in this plan how you will overcome drug cravings, combat boredom and discouragement, and fulfill obligations you have neglected. Stopping drugs will affect every aspect of your life (for example, connecting with others or raising children).
   • Think about how you will act to remove the influence of your addiction on every aspect of your life.
   • Write down your ideas for how you will act in special situations, for example, during an impartial conversation, at social events, and so on.
2. 2 Write down the goals you would like to achieve. These can be the most mundane tasks, like taking a shower every day or eating healthily, or broader aspirations like finding a job.
   • Track your progress towards your goals. You will see improvements that will motivate you to move on.
3. 3 If you feel that you can no longer resist the temptation, use the "urge surfing" method. When you suppress temptation, it usually only grows. By acknowledging the temptation, you can control it.
   • Once you've admitted the temptation, think about your addiction. Be honest about your feelings and thoughts.
   • Rate the level of your temptation (1 to 10, where 1 is weak and 10 is strong). Pause for 10 minutes and then do something like wash your car. Now appreciate the power of temptation again. If it's not weakened, do something else.
4. 4 Do not interact with drug addicts or drug dealers, and do not go to appropriate establishments (where you bought or used drugs).
   • Instead, go to places that are not drug-related. For example, go rock climbing or hiking.
5. 5 Take a job to keep yourself busy (it's worth getting a part-time job). As you work, you will earn money, which will boost your self-esteem.
   • Put your salary in a bank account.
   • If you don't want to look for work, become a volunteer. Making commitments to others can help you forget about drugs faster.
6. 6 Concentrate on building a new life as soon as you overcome drug cravings and restore your health. Pay more attention to loved ones, work and enjoy your favorite activities and hobbies.
   • During this time, keep attending self-help group meetings and seeing a therapist. The drug addiction recovery process does not go quickly, so if your life is getting better, do not think that you are already cured.

Tips

• Don't let a relapse put an end to your efforts. If you have used the drug after taking action to recover from drug addiction, deal with the problem before it gets out of hand. Even if you start using drugs again, do not give up - you can still overcome this vice. Try to figure out what went wrong and start over. No matter how long it takes to get rid of drug addiction, it will be worth it!

Warnings

• Coping with drug addiction is not just a matter of willpower. Substance abuse can lead to psychological and physical changes in a person's health. In order to go through all the necessary steps, seek professional help.
• If you see a doctor about drug addiction, there is a chance that details of the matter will appear in your medical records. Currently, the disclosure of such information is considered illegal, but in rare cases it takes place, which in the future can lead to a number of problems with work and insurance. Of course, if you continue to take illegal drugs, then this may even aggravate your situation. If you find yourself the victim of medical incompetence, then contact a lawyer.
• Ending drug addiction can be dangerous or even deadly. Before taking any action, consult your doctor.