We often find people trying hard to end the bad habits of addiction with great frustration, anger, and a sense of hopelessness. This is especially true after many years of habitual substance use and the negative mental health effects that come with it. A person can easily find themselves trapped in a mentally traumatic situation if they continuously try to fight their addiction with frustration, anger, and other harmful emotions.
If you continue to fight your addiction daily like you’re in a war, chances are that you will lose. But if you start admitting your mistakes and face your addiction head-on, you’re much more likely to be victorious. Being strong-willed and determined to face your addiction by engaging in the right kind of recovery processes can lead to lasting recovery.
Wondering how you can effectively face your addiction like a pro and beat it? Although there is no one-size-fits-all procedure for recovering from alcoholism or any other type of addiction, here’s a list of five easy-to-adopt steps.
Step 1: Decide to change.
Make a commitment to change for the better. Promise yourself an addiction-free life as the first step towards a successful recovery. Once you have decided from within to overcome your addiction and start fresh, you can own your recovery process like a boss!
Step 2: Prepare yourself for change.
You must prepare your body and your mind to leave your addiction behind. Instead of indulging in alcohol or drugs, make an effort to indulge in different activities. Jaywalker Lodge follows this same concept, encouraging the men in the program to participate in group activities, nature excursions, nightly dinners, and meaningful conversations with others throughout the recovery process. When your mind is diverted to other positive experiences in life, you’re less likely to succumb to temptation or relapse. At Jaywalker Lodge, we encourage all participants to be open-minded about the useful suggestions and guidance they receive through the 12-Step program.
Step 3: Prepare your family for change.
Your family plays a tremendous role in your recovery process. After all, they have suffered a lot with you, making them an integral part of your addiction and recovery journey. Not only will they help you face your past more confidently, but they can also help you prepare for future life challenges. If relapse does occur, you may lose your motivation to get back to sober life again. Your family is often the first people to observe the signs of potential relapse and can report them to your recovery program, so they can step in accordingly and help keep you on track.
Step 4: Learn to control your behavior.
Your will to face your addiction needs to be more important to you than continuing your addictive behavior. The 12-Step program can help you address feelings of anger, resentment, avoidance, and other behavior issues that lead to substance use. It’s essential for a person struggling with addiction to face these emotions so they can control their behavior. Personal counseling, group counseling, family support, and support from your recovery community can all help accomplish this.
Step 5: Avoid and/or cope with relapse.
Relapse can occur at any stage of the recovery process. When relapse occurs, it can be heartbreaking for both the addict and their family, but this doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. Avoiding relapse is a top priority for any recovery program, especially the 12-Step program. But it’s also important to be prepared and ready to cope with any relapses that do occur. The 12-Step program provides the tools, resources, and support needed to ensure that relapse doesn’t mean the end of your recovery journey. You never have to drink or use again, no matter what.
Ready to Face Your Addiction?
It’s of utmost importance to start off by understanding that addiction is no one’s fault. Addiction is often the result of a mix of contributing factors, from trauma and stress to genetics and family history. Stop blaming yourself for being an addict, so you can face the problem. Because the sooner you start facing it, the sooner you can regain control over your life and discover everything that lasting recovery has to offer.
The 12-Step recovery program is one of the most effective ways to stop fighting against your addiction and start facing it head-on. However, it only works if you work it. With support from your recovery community, your loved ones, and most importantly yourself, you can finally break free from addiction and live the happy, fulfilling life you deserve.
Trying to fight addiction on your own can be dangerous and emotionally devastating, especially with the threat of relapse looming. Most of us here at Jaywalker Lodge were fighting the same vicious battle before we arrived. But now, through the 12-Step program, we have learned how to admit our mistakes, face our addictions, and find lasting recovery. At Jaywalker Lodge, the 12-Step program is at the heart of everything we do. By eliminating your fears, resentment, and resistance, you can face your addiction head-on. The Jaywalker community knows and understands your struggle, and we’re here to support you every step of the way without judgment. Specializing in helping men who have been unable to find lasting recovery in the past, the staff at Jaywalker Lodge has vast experience in mentoring and guiding men just like you to lasting recovery. To learn more about our programs and how we can help, call us today at (866) 529-9255.
As Chief Executive Officer Bill provides leadership and manage all day-to-day operations of Jaywalker Lodge, an extended care residential addiction treatment program for adult men.
