Breaking the Shame of Addiction

Addicts know within them that they are addicted, but you would barely find any of them owning up to their addiction. Rather, they would prefer to struggle within them to see if they can do away with it.

Most of the times, they end up succeeding only in the short term. Within few days, they are back to their addiction because they find it uneasy to keep up with the withdrawal symptoms.

People who are addicted see their addiction as a top priority. So, they would prefer to put other tasks before it. Their addiction comes first because it is what gives them utmost satisfaction.

Hence, some tasks that an addict would typically handle, would be abandoned. They would miss work without any reasonable excuse.

Also, they would not have the sufficient energy and mental strength to perform their normal duties. This would result in a decline in productivity.

Someone who is addicted would also have mood swings. They could be happy this moment and be sad the next.

So, you need to watch out for this. If this occurs more than usual, then there is a good chance that the person is struggling with any form of addiction.

An individual who is addicted would not accept that they are addicted. They are not comfortable with people knowing so they would hide this reality.

In addition to this, addicted individuals find it hard to keep good relationships. If they have a romantic partner, they would have frequent conflicts.

Also, communication would be on a low ebb because the addicted individual would spend more time fueling his or her own addiction rather than being with their partner.

That’s not all; they will also keep secrets from them. This is one of the major reasons why addicted individuals find it hard to keep relationships.

As a matter of fact, relationship with friends and family would also be strained.

If you have noticed any of the above-mentioned signs in a person, it is advisable to encourage them with love and not criticize them. This would motivate them to seek addiction recovery.

Addiction does not just affect an individual alone, it affects those around them. The first set of people who are affected by the addiction of an individual are family and friends.

This is followed by co-workers, neighbors, long-distance friends and the list goes on.

There are some families that have been totally torn apart because of addiction. Also, some people are no longer best friends because of addiction.

One of the major reasons for this is, addiction changes a person, and the individual usually expects everyone to understand him or her.

Worse still, it is difficult to see any individual that would open up about their addiction. This is done because of prejudice. Hence, this is one of the reasons why people find it hard to open up to a counselor.

To repair a relationship after addiction, the first step is to communicate. You need to inform those people you have lost connection with that, you want to discuss with them.

You also need to let them know that you are putting your life together after addiction, and you want to repair your relationship.

Not everyone would accept this as an act of good faith, so you need to be ready for some disappointment. However, you will need to go the extra mile to make this happen.

If the person is responsible for your addiction, the best you can do is to mend fences over the phone or a chat, and maintain the long-distance friendship if possible.

Also, you need to be honest and ask for forgiveness. You need to state it clearly that you have made mistakes, and you are now aware of them.

So even though people are finding it difficult to come around, you will know that you have done your part.

In addition to this, you also need to go for support meetings. These meetings are often targeted at helping you connect with other people who are equally going through the same phase of reconnection.

After addiction recovery, it is not fully over yet. If an individual is not careful, there is a likely chance of a relapse.

Basically, a relapse is a condition whereby a person who recovered from addiction, is back to their old lifestyle.

There are some feelings known as triggers, and they make a person crave an addictive lifestyle that they have abstained from.

Triggers can come in various forms. Triggers could be your childhood friend who you are used to hanging out with.

Then, avoiding triggers would mean that your friendship is about to hit the rocks because you want to avoid addiction. A good number of times, avoiding an addiction means saying goodbye to some people.

This does not mean you will not communicate with them, but it would be done on a long-term basis. Before triggers can be identified, you need to know them, and this is why a counselor’s place comes in handy.

You will definitely be reminded of the experiences that make you feel good, and you will want to explore them again.

To perfectly substitute this, you need to seek an activity that will provide a replica of the experience you used to feel. However, you have to ensure they are devoid of features that will activate these triggers.

You can also discuss with a counselor to help you check these activities, and recommend the ones that would be beneficial to you.

Another trigger you need to work on avoiding, is the places that put your addiction in motion.

People who have recovered from either drug or alcohol addiction would need to avoid places where they are sold.

So, it would mean driving past such places and not making attempts to enter, even if it is just to greet an old friend.

Avoiding triggers seem impossible, but you need to arm yourself with the skills suited for this purpose.

So, asides taking part in other activities, you can talk about it with a counselor. You can also put measures in place that will help you change your thoughts.

Mental health is the state of your psychological, social and emotional make-up. This constitutes our thoughts and feelings that are interrelated coupled with our behaviors.

All these contribute to the choices we make in life, our experiences and the way we deal with relationships, stress and lots more.

Caring for our mental health is much more demanding that we view it to be, and when in recovery, it is necessary to always keep this in check.

One of the proficient ways to care for your mental health after recovering from addiction is to live a healthy lifestyle.

This might be difficult for you to achieve all by yourself, so you will still need a counselor, therapist and a health practitioner.

In addition to this, you will also need a nutritionist who would help you stick to the right diet that will maintain your addiction recovery. The last thing you would want is to live a lifestyle devoid of proper nutrition.

Next is to always ensure you take your medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

During addiction recovery, there are some medical conditions that could occur, and they could act as potential triggers that can make your recovery complicated.

This is why it is advised that, to keep your recovery and mental health in check, you need to keep in close touch with your healthcare provider.

He or she will recommend medications that you need to use. On your part, you need to make sure that you stick to them, and when you notice any symptom, it is best to call the attention of your healthcare provider.

Also, you need to seek meaningful relationships and connections with friends and family. If such relationships are not beneficial for your mental health, then it is best to avoid them.

However, you still need family and friends, so you can discuss with your counselor on how to make the right choice that would be suitable for your mental health and permanent addiction recovery.

Having defeated addiction, things will very likely not be the same. This is why you need to seek ways to return things to normalcy.

Everything will not be the way they were after your addiction recovery. You would have to cut some ties, build new relationships and the likes.

Getting back on your feet is quintessential to ensuring your life is back in shape. It would be good to get back to your life and work, putting addiction behind you.

One of the best ways to get back on your feet is to seek to build healthy relationships. At this point, it would not be beneficial for you to mingle with people who would make you go back to your addiction.

So, if you had friends in this category, it is best you do away with them. Else, you will discover that your addiction is back in motion.

You need friends who are not latent triggers. Staying clean is necessary at this point for you, and you cannot allow some form of relationships to jeopardize this.

In addition to this, you need to make sure that you are physically active. One thing some people do not know prior to enrolling for addiction rehab is the fact that, their health has been impaired.

So, for you to get back in shape and on your feet, you need to engage yourself in physical activities.  These activities would help you handle stress effectively, and you will not have to relapse in the process.

Also, you need to make sure that you deal with past mistakes. You must have offended some people during your addiction, and you need to make sure that you repair those relationships.

If they are relationships that would make you relapse, the best you can do is to settle amicably and keep your distance.

To wrap it up, you also need to arm yourself with knowledge on addiction. You need to know more about this concept and use your story to encourage others who are struggling with addiction.  

Oftentimes, an addiction is not well-hidden. You might be able to keep it a secret for a short time, but eventually, people will start to notice. And, especially if things get really bad, everyone will know about it.

So, once you begin to enter your recovery period, you might find yourself feeling guilty and ashamed.

This is completely normal.

It is no secret that people (drug-free) look down on those who take part in drugs. In fact, some people even report not enrolling in a mental health facility out of fear of all the social stigma that surrounds addiction.

Isn’t that sad?

There is so much social stigma surrounding addiction that rather than focusing on their own mental health, some adults would rather deal with their emotions in silence because they are so afraid of what others will think.

Types of Addiction Stigma

There are two types of stigma that surround addiction:

1. Labels

   Remember in high school when people would be labeled a “jock” or a “prep” or even a “nerd”? Someone always has a label they place on others that they feel describes them…

   

   And, when it comes to labeling an addict, it is often done with something that is hurtful and something that isolates them as a drug user – making them feel like less of a person.

   Some of the common labels include “addict” or “junkie”.

2. Assumptions

   People have a tendency to just assume that what they perceive to be the case is true, rather than having proper reasoning to believe that. They might assume:

   The addiction was the person’s choice, that the person is weak or lacks willpower, or that they had bad parenting.

   While it might not seem obvious, most people who participate in the abuse of drugs and alcohol don’t enjoy it – but it is their life and they have yet to be able to overcome it.

How does this affect those suffering?

This can leave those who are in the midst of an addiction feeling embarrassed, ashamed, guilty, and can even cause depression or anxiety.

Unfortunately, while some people might not think twice about how their actions affect others, if someone is in the midst of an addiction or even recovery, this could worsen their addiction and/or cause a relapse.

How do we change it?

Rather than labeling or assuming things about those who are in the midst of an addiction, we should be offering a helping hand.

We should encourage the enrollment and participation in positive programs that help those who are hurting.

Put yourself in their shoes just for one day and consider what you would want someone to do for you.

 

Have you ever just felt sad for no reason?

Or, maybe even you have a reason.

But, your body just aches, you might even cry, you feel mentally and physically exhausted. You are just sad – in every sense of the word.

Well, that might be because you are experiencing some depression.

Unfortunately, depression is often part of life. Most people experience it at one time or another…

What is depression?

By definition, depression is the feeling of severe dejection and despondency.

It negatively affects how you think, how you feel, and how you act. It is a common and serious medical illness.

And, while it is a common illness in general, it is even more common when it comes to the process of addiction recovery and even the post-recovery life.

Even if you were motivated to get sober and are enjoying it, depression can still lurk in the background. It is something you experience as you feel tempted, as your body craves what you once had, and various other emotions and experiences that go along with addiction recovery.

How do I beat depression?

Well, wouldn’t it be nice if you could just snap your fingers and suddenly not feel depressed anymore? I think we have all wished that at one point or another.

But, unfortunately, depression has to be conquered with actions and effort. It doesn’t just go away on its own. However, there are several things you can do on your own to empower yourself and help yourself heal when you are feeling down:

1. Eat healthy.

   This is just a general rule of thumb – try to stick with a healthy diet as often as possible. Your body will appreciate the nutrients and plenty of healthy foods can naturally fight off depression.

   In addition, it will help you stay healthier – and a healthy body can combat depression much better than a damaged one.

   

   Try to cut out sweets as much as possible, eat plenty of vegetables, and drink enough water.

2. Try music therapy. 

   Music can really affect our mood – it can worsen it or improve it. It improves it by getting our dopamine flowing, which is the “happy chemical.”

   Try listening to upbeat songs that speak about positive things or simply listen to just an instrumental song that incorporates a guitar and other uplifting sounds. You will likely find yourself smiling to yourself without even realizing it.

3. Try regular therapy.

   Sometimes, people are shied away by the idea of therapy…

   They don’t want to feel like they need help. But, asking for help is empowering and a sign of strength rather than weakness.  It helps to talk to someone who can understand what you are going through.

Staying sober is not an easy job – it takes hard work and determination. And, most importantly, you have to keep yourself busy…

It is much easier to find yourself tempted and weak when you are alone or when you are bored. So, when it comes to addiction recovery, one great way to help yourself stay on track is by finding a hobby.

Finding a hobby is a great way to pick back up where you left off with something you love or a great way to find something new to enjoy in life.

Benefits of Having a Hobby

They say there is only thing you have to change when you become sober. That one thing: everything.

The main benefit to having a hobby is the avoiding boredom. People who are recovering from addiction often find themselves bored because they do not know what it is to live a “normal life” anymore. They might find several time gaps where they would normally be participating in drugs or alcohol, and during this time, they might find themselves easily tempted.

Seeking pleasurable activities helps your brain retrain itself to find joy in something other than drugs and alcohol. It provides a sense of contentment and something you can put the majority of your time and effort into.

In addition, a hobby can also help introduce you to a new and healthier group of friends. These friends can help encourage and support you and also introduce you to other new, healthy activities.

Hobbies to Try

Of course, you want to pick something you think you will enjoy because this is meant to be a positive experience. It shouldn’t be something you dread.

A few healthy hobbies to try during addiction recovery include:

1. Exercise

   Yes, exercise can be a hobby. Hundreds of people enjoy running – just for fun. And, it benefits you in more ways than one: physically and mentally.

   

   However, exercise can be a lot more complex than just running. If that doesn’t interest you try playing tennis, joining a yoga class, cycling, or kayaking. Oftentimes, these exercises can be done or are done in groups.

2. Volunteering
   
   Volunteering is a great way to improve yourself overall. It keeps you busy, allows you to give back to your community and help others, and it looks good on a job resume. Find a local nonprofit that is centered around something you feel passionate about.

   
   

3. Crafting

   Crafting can encompass everything from drawing to sewing. It is a great way to learn a new skill and even make gifts for people or practical items for yourself.

Find what it is that you enjoy and go for it!

Sometimes, we could just all use a little pick me up…

There are days that are just bad – you wake up on the wrong side of the bed and just cannot seem to find the motivation to conquer the day.

And, as an addict, these days can seem ever prevalent in your life. You find yourself struggling with overcoming your addiction as you battle withdraws and triggers.

But, one way to keep pushing forward is to constantly look for motivation. Constantly look for the positive side of things. By finding positive and encouraging things, you set yourself up to have a good day. You give yourself something to fall back on when times are tough.

One of the best ways to continuously encourage yourself is to surround yourself with positive quotes. They can give you the little bit of inspiration you might be looking for today.

Here are a few great ones that might just help you make it through another day in your journey to recovery:

1. “If you fail to plan, plan to fail.” (unknown)
2. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” (unknown)
3. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” (Walt Disney)
4. “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” (Will Rogers)
5. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” (OG Mandino)
6. “We may encounter defeats, but we must not be defeated.” (Maya Angelou)
7. “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” (Henry Ford)
8. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” (C.S. Lewis)

These are just a few, but they hold a lot of truth.

So, what are some benefits of motivational quotes?

Well, they can:

• Help you in a situation of weakness, such as when you encounter one of your triggers.
• Give you strength to keep pushing forward, even when you are having a rough day.
• Help you formulate goals by giving you the inspiration to dream a new dream.
• Help inspire your creative potential, leading you to healthier habits that help you beat addiction.

When it comes to addiction recovery, you have to go all in. It is about finding every little way that can help you get better. Even if it is just flipping through and reading one of these quotes each day when you wake up.

Every little bit counts on your road to recovery.

 

Oftentimes, people think of addicts as outcasts. Especially when they don’t know someone who has an addiction, they have a hard time understanding just what it is that someone with an addiction looks like.

But, that is the thing – there is not one specific face of an addict. Many different addicts walk among us each and every day and we might not have any idea that underneath their smile they are struggling.

But, each person behind the mask of addiction has their own story – somewhere they came from…

There are addicts who are:

Parents

There are several moms and dads – young and old – who struggle with addiction day in and day out. They might be financially strapped and that is feeding their inability to give us their addiction. Or, it might just be a bad habit they never dropped.

Children

Many, many teens struggle with addiction. Their minds are young and impressionable and being a teenager is hard. There is peer pressure all around teens and drugs are very prevalent in schools and at parties. During a time where one wrong decision could lead them down the wrong path, many teens find themselves developing a problem at a young age.

Professionals

Rather it is a teacher, an athlete, a doctor, or someone in another profession – nobody is above addiction. And, sadly, there have been several of these professionals have struggled with this for years. For some, it has already cost them their job. For others, they are on their way to it costing them their job.

Conclusion

In the end, each addict is a person with a story. And, each person deserves a fair shot at recovering from their addiction. Rather they are young or old, they had a life before their addiction started. Each one has lost something, or several things, along the way. It is important for us to see the faces of the addict; the one who is behind that mask.

So, if you think you might be struggling or you know someone who might be struggling, it is time to get help.

Someone who suffers from an addiction, with the proper help, can once again become that parent, spouse, young professional, or athlete that they once were.

It is possible – if they get the help they need, the support they need, and put in the work. Addiction does not have to be forever.

Behind each addiction is someone who is hurting. Someone who needs help.