This article discusses what you will need to do to overcome an addiction and offers tips that can help.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
These changes in the brain also affect impulse control and judgment, which makes quitting that much more challenging.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Though addiction recovery is challenging, addiction is treatable.
Recap
Addiction leads to changes in the brain that make quitting more difficult.
During these early stages of the process, you might be in denial about the effects of your addiction.
Making the decision to change and deciding what that will look like is a process that often takes time.
This is known as the contemplation stage because it involves thinking about whether to change and how.
Ambitious goals are not always best, however.
Seek Social Support
Perhaps the hardest preparations to make concern social relationships.
For people living with addictions, some of their relationships may revolve around addictive behaviors.
Lonelinesscan be a challenge when you are quitting.
But finding people who support your recovery can be very helpful and may improve your outcomes.
Take time to contactfriends and family who will support youin your goals.
They may not understandor you may be pleasantly surprised.
There are options for medications to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
In some cases, you may need medical supervision during the detox process.
Healthcare providers can be very supportive and helpful while navigating these challenges.
The first step in overcoming addiction involves deciding to make a change.
The key in of medication a doctor prescribes depends on the key in of addiction that is being treated.
For example, there are different medications available to treat opioid, nicotine, and alcohol addiction.
Medications can sometimes be helpful in both the short term and the long term.
Talk to a doctor about the options that are available to and appropriate for you.
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Fortunately, most of the acute symptoms of withdrawal pass within a week or two of quitting.
However, some people who quit an addiction find that certain withdrawal symptoms seem to go on and on.
There are effective treatments that can help.
Avoid Relapse
While it can be disheartening and frustrating,relapseis quite common.
Remember that relapse is not a sign that you have failed.
The first thing to do when you realize you have relapsed is to understand what happened.
Understanding why you relapsed is often one of the most important parts of truly overcoming a substance use disorder.
Tips for Overcoming an Addiction
Quitting is a different experience for everyone.
Some people find it empowering.
Others find it painful, difficult, and frustrating, sometimes needing many attempts before achieving their goal.
There is no “right” way to feel while you are quitting.
Anticipate Changes in Relationships
Your relationships and friendships are likely to change as you overcome your addiction.
It may take time to appreciate a new normal.
Substance use commonly occurs alongside other mental health conditions.
A Word From Verywell
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to addiction recovery.
It takes continuous commitment, which can waver at any timeparticularly times of stress.
Seek help when you need it.
Others in recovery or professionals who work in addiction understand that you still need support.
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National Institutes of Health.Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction.
Lassiter PS, Culbreth JR.Theory and Practice of Addiction Counseling.SAGE Publications.
Hawk M, Coulter RWS, Egan JE, et al.Harm reduction principles for healthcare prefs.Harm Reduct J.
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Diaper AM, Law FD, Melichar JK.Pharmacological strategies for detoxification.Br J Clin Pharmacol.
A prospective study in a nationally representative sample.JAMA Psychiatry.
2017 Oct 1;36(10):1739-1747. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0584
