To beat drug addiction, what are the necessary lessons that must be learned? What does the addict need to gain in the way of skills, physical or moral strengths, abilities?
To transform a drug addict into a productive and stably drug-free person is quite an accomplishment. There are some necessary changes that must be made, by the addict, before that goal can be reached.
Factors which MUST be addressed:
1. First and foremost, drug use must cease.
This seems so obvious that it need not be mentioned. This might require medical help during the initial withdrawal, but usually can be accomplished comfortably and without using dangerous drugs.
2. Poisonous drug and drug residues must be removed from the body.
This is called detox. But the word detox has wrongly come to mean just staying off drugs for a short period. That does not did the body of all the toxins built up over years of drug abuse. Never settle for anything less that complete cleansing of the body.
3. The addict needs to gain the ability to feel comfortable in social situations without alcohol or drugs.
Communication skills and simple ways to communicate effectively must be learned as these are usually poorly known to a drug or alcohol addicted person.
4. A regaining of personal integrity is a very important part of recovery.
The addict must be able to feel good about himself or herself. They must have self-respect enough to look others right in the eye. This is gained through the understanding of what k
5. Getting out from under the weight of past misdeeds.
In order to change unacceptable behavior, it must be recognized. So a “coming clean” about past activities has long been known to help. This is one of the most powerful of all these steps, and one of the most necessary to full recovery.
6. A method of proceeding in life must be learned.
If the person is to refrain from drugs forever there should be fewer than usual surprising circumstances. The unexpected can be unsettling and in the past, the addict turned to drugs to deal with surprises. An effective treatment should teach methods of not only predicting future events, but controlling them to a large degree.
7. Finally, goals are needed to provide needed direction and purpose in life.
Setting sights on a better future does more than simply raise the mood, it designates activity, it defines borders and keeps a person focused on pro-survival endeavors. A worthwhile and attainable goal can provide the push, the impetus that carries a recovering addict right through bumpy periods.
