If you’re currently receiving drug addiction treatment, the good news is that so much of the hard work is already behind you. You’ve admitted to having a problem, you’re getting help and now you’re on the road to recovery.
Your challenge now is to resist the urge to relapse. While this is undeniably difficult, the good news is that there are a number of strategies you can implement to help develop self-control in drug addiction recovery.
Eat
Researchers have found that blood glucose (sugar) levels play an important role in our ability to practice self-control. When we have to use self-control in a situation, we deplete our blood glucose levels. If we have to keep using self-control without replenishing our blood sugar, eventually our willpower runs out.
In order to avoid this, try to eat small, regular meals and have a snack on hand at all times for when your resolve starts to wane.
Plan ahead
Planning ahead can make all the difference if you know you might find yourself in a tricky situation. If you’re going to a party for example, try to avoid drinking because alcohol weakens our willpower. Offer to be the designated driver so you have a valid excuse which won’t result in questions being asked.
Practice self-control
Researchers have found that practicing self-control can improve our overall willpower. Try using self-control in other areas of your life and you will find it easier to resist drugs should you ever be presented with the opportunity.
You could for example start an exercise regimen that requires you to get up early every day, give up chocolate or try setting other goals that you have to meet.
Exercise
Having a healthy body seems to have a powerful effect on the mind. Exercising regularly has in fact helped people to improve willpower in all areas of their lives including eating better, studying more, drinking and smoking less and even spending less money.
There are a number of additional reasons why exercise can be such a beneficial part of drug addiction treatment including:
- It helps us to set and meet goals and improve confidence.
- Working out can clear your mind and make problems feel more manageable.
- During regular aerobic exercise, the electricity level in tensed muscles decreases. This leads to calmer and more relaxed feelings throughout the body.
- Exercise can break up the monotony of everyday life and distract people from depressing thoughts, feelings or temptations.
- Exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety just as effectively as medications.
- Exercising is a great way to reduce cravings and build resistance to triggers. This is because exercise releases serotonin and dopamine which are the same chemicals which are released into the brain when we take drugs.
- A set fitness routine provides positive structures which can replace the harmful habits that have been consuming your life.
- In the long-term, being physically fit can help undo the damage caused by drugs.
- Setting fitness goals can help with relapse prevention because it gives you something positive to focus on and work towards.
Meditate
A lot of people struggle to get to grips with meditation but it really can pay off in the long-run. Because it involves sitting still, clearing the mind and focusing on breathing, it can help to reduce stress, boost energy and make you more aware of your body, mind, mood and cravings. When you are more relaxed and aware, you will be better able to exert self-control.
Seek help for mental health disorders
Many people who develop a drug addiction do so because they have an underlying mental health condition. If this is the case, it’s absolutely crucial to seek drug addiction counselling otherwise you are far more likely to relapse.
Not only do addictions often mask mental health disorders, they often become much more evident when the addictive behavior stops. As long as any issues remain suppressed and unresolved, your risk of relapse will be high. It’s also important to seek counselling for addiction as your therapist will be able to help you implement the right coping mechanisms.
If you think that you or someone you know could benefit from talking to a drug addiction counsellor, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma and Addiction Counselling for more information and we will be more than happy to help.
