Substance Dependency

Breaking the Cycle of Substance Dependency


Multiple attempts to beat addiction is not unordinary – in fact, it’s a common place theme for most who are trying time and time again to overcome addictive habits. Addictions can be extremely hard to break. Getting professional help is often the best way to gain control, even though it can take more than one try to break the addiction cycle, according to Dr. Joe Shrand, MD, medical director of the Castle Adolescent Rehabilitation Unit in Brockton, Massachusetts.

There is hope to break the substance dependency cycle. Addiction recovery is a process, and no one is a failure when one picks him/herself up from their fall, learns from it, and tries again. Here are 7 tips essential to recovery:

1. Start Safely – Detox is usually the first step, and done in a medical setting to monitor withdrawal symptoms.

2. Seek Lots of Support – Cultivate many healthy, caring relationships. Join a support group! Embracing this kind of support substantially increases your success to get clean for good.

3. Choose Right – Receive therapy/counseling from professionals who are board certified.

4. Address Everything – About 40% of those dealing with addictions suffer from mental health issues, such as depression, explains Dr. David Sack, MD, chief executive officer of Promises. Addressing all issues can help you learn how to prevent relapse.

5. Avoid Triggers – Learn coping skills, and carefully choose your environment to avoid temptations.

6. Manage Expectations – Be humble and realistic about your journey to recovery, counsels Dr. Shrand; it’s important to forgive yourself for all that has happened; and it’s just as important to take responsibility for your actions.

7. Be Vigilant – Temptations and cravings can be a struggle throughout your life. However, even if addiction recovery can be a lifelong battle, following these 7 tips will be successful tools to see you through!

www.everydayhealth.com

Contact Monica Forsman, LAPC, for questions, information, and therapy on substance dependency at Resilient Solutions, Inc., in Bountiful, Utah.

Monica can be reached at (801) 604-5040 or email at: monica.lapc@gmail.com

Substance Dependence

As a result of difficult circumstances in life that may or may not be under one’s control, one might resort to high-risk behaviors such as using excessive amounts of prescription medications or other substances to cope – thinking it may alleviate stress.

Dr. E. J. Essic explains that happenings in our environment, such as trauma and grief, can have a great impact on individuals that may lead to high-risk behaviors. It’s important to recognize that while we are responsible for our own thinking and behavior; dependent/addictive thinking is the same as impaired thinking.

Counseling Today/August 2009; Confronting Addiction, Lynne Shallcross
When struggling with substance dependency, therapy can be helpful on the road to recovery. There is hope, even with relapse. There are tools one can learn (healthy thinking/behaviors) that can strengthen one on the journey toward healing. It’s always a good time to address this type of distress!

Monica Forsman, LAPC,is an  Individual, Marriage & Family therapist at Resilient Solutions, Inc. in Bountiful, Utah.


Monica can be reached at - 801.604.5040 or email at:  monica.lapc@gmail.com