How Do I Get Over My Substance Abuse Problem in MA?

Substance abuse in Massachusetts can affect anyone, of any age, from any socioeconomic background. From prescription drugs to alcohol to illegal drugs, these substances cause more than addiction. They destroy lives. If you are looking for a way to get over your substance abuse problem, you’ll need to know a bit more about your options when it comes to addiction treatment in Massachusetts.

Can You Beat Substance Abuse Problems in MA?

Yes, it is possible to stop drinking and/or stop using drugs. Millions of people across the US do it every year. However, that does not mean that you’ll be able to completely reset your mind and body. It’s essential to enroll in an effective addiction treatment program in Massachusetts initially, but you will also need support after the program, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous groups. The good news is that there are many of these options out there that can help you find support from others who’ve walked the same path as you. 

The First Step

The first step is the most important; if you’re reading this, you’ve already taken it. It’s the realization that your substance abuse problem is damaging your life, health, and relationships with those you love. Without that realization, little else matters because there’s a very good chance that you’ll go right back to using drugs or drinking after completing a drug and alcohol rehab program if you weren’t convinced that it was time to quit.

Realize It’s Normal to Rethink Things

Many people are surprised that it is challenging to maintain their commitment to quitting drugs or alcohol. This is normal. It’s a big life change involving giving up something that makes you feel average, even good. It also means contemplating time spent in recovery, the need for outside support, and dealing with possible relapses. There’s a great deal to think about, and it’s normal to go back and forth. 

Simple Steps to Move Forward

Overcoming your addiction means holding to your resolve despite your worries, doubts, and misgivings. How do you do that, though? Here are a few ways to reframe the situation so that it’s easier to contemplate enrolling in a program for addiction treatment in Massachusetts.

• Track the time you spend using drugs or drinking and the time you spend recovering from those experiences. This will give you a good idea of how much your addiction impacts your life and how much time and money it is stealing from you.

• Think about the pros and cons of quitting. If necessary, make a physical list that you can refer to repeatedly. 

• Consider the most essential things in your life – your spouse, your children, and/or your career. How is your substance abuse problem impacting those things?

• Remind yourself that you want to change and why you want to change. What initially started the thought process that led to this point?

• Set goals that you can reach. Measurable, attainable goals can empower you and make it easier to achieve and then maintain sobriety.

• Remove things that remind you of your addiction from your home, workplace, and life in general.

• Rethink relationships with people who enable substance abuse-related behaviors or those who encourage you to use them.

• Realize the benefits of sobriety, for they are many. You have a greater sense of freedom and control over your life, for instance. You also have better financial stability, more mental clarity, a greater sense of peace in your life, more time to spend with people who matter most, and you’re able to build stronger relationships with friends and family members.

• Define your triggers and avoid them when and where possible. If a trigger cannot be avoided, identify skills and tools that can help you deal with the trigger without turning to drugs or alcohol. Some of the most common triggers include uncomfortable emotions, feeling socially isolated, mental illness, physical illness/injuries, environmental cues, and stress.

• Get some exercise. If you’re looking for a way to release endorphins and feel-good chemicals in the brain, then exercise is your best friend. Simply going for a walk can do wonders for your mental and emotional state, but you can also jog, use free weights, go for a swim, hike, and more.

• Find evidence-based addiction treatment in Massachusetts. These types of treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication-assisted therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and more. These do more than just help you detox and deal with withdrawals – they help you build new skills, unlearn old thinking patterns, and create the tools that you’ll need to live a happy life.

In Conclusion

The most important step to getting over your substance abuse problem is realizing that you have one and that changing your life is important. From that point, simple, effective steps can take you forward and help you reclaim and rebuild your life. Meta has two locations to help you over your addiction to drugs and alcohol. PHP and IOP levels of care to help you on your journey. Meta is real recovery for real people. Contact us today. 

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/img-ed-480x572.jpg[/author_image]  [author_info]Reviewed by Ed Lepage, Executive Director

Ed Lepage completed the drug and alcohol certificate program at the University of Massachusetts Boston and has been working in the substance abuse dependency field for the past seven years. He has also worked extensively in peer recovery-based programs offering “real-world experience” to those that suffer from substance use dependency. Full Bio [/author_info] [/author]