We all known the terrible effects that drugs can bring to our lives. Drugs and alcohol are one of the worst addictions a person can drown himself into. Drugs, Substance abuse, and alcohol addiction can be destructive not only to our lives but also to our loved ones. The worst of them all is that sometimes, it can lead to our death. How do we prevent and avoid ourselves from getting addicted to drugs and alcohol?
“When you can stop you don’t want to, and when you want to stop, you can’t…” ― Luke Davies
Here are our top prevention tips from drug and alcohol addiction:
Identify the triggers of your drug and alcohol addiction.
To track down how your drug or alcohol addiction started, you need to list down all the possible things that trigger you. Do you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine after a shitty day? Do you find yourself wanting to take drugs because of depression? List them down so that you become aware of them. Apart from that, ensure you devise an action plan whenever these triggers came.
You can list down that instead of drinking wine, you can go out for a walk to calm your mind. You can also read a book or bathe your pet. List anything that you enjoy and love doing as your action plan. This will serve as your diversion path instead of going down the narrow, dangerous path of drug addiction.
Get Help from Professionals
If you found yourself giving in to the temptation already, it is best if you seek help rather than keeping it a secret. Medical professionals can help you in overcoming drug addiction, especially in dealing with its withdrawal symptoms. Besides that, they can be your anchor as they help you cope with the struggles and discomfort you’re experiencing in life. They are there to listen to you, give insightful advice to help you cope up with your problem. It is their mission to get you back on track and believe us; you won’t regret seeking their help.
Avoid Temptations and Peer Pressure
“You’re only as good as the company you keep!”
Ever heard of the quote above? It turns out to be true. Apparently, one of the major factors why people, especially teenagers, become drug victims is because of peer pressure. Often, we want to fit in in certain groups of circles. We wanted acceptance to feel like we belong to the society. This craving for social contact often leads us to dire situations. We sometimes feel like if we don’t do what our “good friends” want us to do, we’ll be treated as outcasts and end up being alone,
Instead of struggling to get fit with these bad influencers, take the time to filter out your circle of friends. Eliminate those who influence you to become a bad person. If they are your genuine friends, they should care for your well being. They should never do anything to harm you. Stick and cherish those friends who bring out the best in you.
Find a Support Group
Even if you fell victim and became addicted to drugs or alcohol, remember that you’re not alone in this battle. Some people suffered the same fate as you. Also, some people are more than willing to help you overcome what you’ve been through. If you are suffering from emotional distress, find a reliable and healthy support group to turn to.
These social communities and religious and spiritual organizations will help you work through your negative emotions and behaviors in a healthy life-affirming manner. They will guide on how to manage the stress, depression, and anxiety you’re going through and how to change your outlook in life into something more meaningful. You can use the strength they offer into an inspiration to get your life back on track.