1. Acknowledge That You Have an Addiction
Denial is the first and most important hurdle to overcome when stopping an addiction. Many addicts never believe they have a problem until it causes catastrophic damage to their lives. You need to take a cold, hard look at your life and ask whether the substance you are taking has had a detrimental effect. How often do you use it? Have you ever used it to escape from your problems? Have other people mentioned that you should "cut down"? Have you ever been late to work or classes because of it? Have you ever borrowed money to buy quantities of the substance you take? Have you made unsuccessful attempts to quit? If you can truthfully answer "yes" to these sorts of questions, you are probably an addict. By acknowledging it, you can start to treat it.
2. Seek Out a Treatment Center
Addiction is very rarely a matter of willpower alone. It can be biologically inherited or come as a result of your environment or upbringing. In many cases, drugs and alcohol literally rewire the brain after you use them regularly, creating psychological cravings that can't be overcome simply by resolving to stop. A professional treatment center with trained medical staff can help you through the early stages of recovery.
Recovery begins with detoxification, which gets the drugs or alcohol out of your system. That's augmented by counseling, therapy and, in some cases, drugs such as methadone to help you cut down on your cravings. Inpatient treatment is often a necessary step. It provides emotional and medicinal tools to face your addiction properly. Treatment varies from individual to individual, and you may require a multiple-approach treatment to address your particular condition.
3. Get Support From Family and Friends
Recovery is a long, slow process, and the danger of relapse is significant. Ask those around you for help and support as you go through it. Stay away from enablers or those who use the substances you're trying to quit. Avoid situations where substance use might be a temptation. Your friends and family can help, both by providing sympathy during periods when the cravings become strong, and by steering you away from situations where you might be tempted to relapse.
4. Find Activities That Don't Involve the Substance
Staying away from tempting situations is one step, but boredom and unstructured time can lead you back toward substance use. Look for fun things to do that don't involve your addiction. Take up an exercise program, learn to paint or look for outdoor activities like camping or a sport. Start a blog to talk about your addiction or just things that interest you. Try to pinpoint times or places in which you are particularly tempted to relapse, and make sure you have an alternate activity planned, with a supportive friend, if possible, to help you stay strong.
5. Know That It Will Take a Long Time
Many experts use the term "recovering addict" exclusively, believing that there is no such thing as a "recovered addict." The process is ongoing and will stay with you for many, many years. Be aware of what works for you, and stay with those tactics even if recovery feels like a done deal. Attend therapy if you feel it's helpful. Go to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings in your area. Work on methods to get through the rough patches. A strong spiritual life works for some addicts, while others use yoga or similar exercises. Keep your support network strong. The process never really ends, but it does get better, and with work on your part, it can stay that way.
