5 Things you may not know about overcoming addiction as a young professional
This is a collaborative post
Addiction is a broad topic. Mostly, when experts talk about the concept, they will highlight that it is often a struggle that develops either physically or psychologically. Most of the time addiction develops after a long history of abuse of a particular drug. Sometimes they are legal or illegal and may not include drugs at all. Some are also addicted to sex, gambling, eating disorders, or other things.
Professionals, especially the young ones, might get themselves into binge drink not knowing of the danger that lies ahead. The thing is, once you expose yourself to the chance of losing your job or even quitting if it develops into a habit is the moment you have gone too far.
If you are a professional and you are thinking of quitting your addictive behaviours, here are five things that you would have to consider in the process.
- Make a decision
Treatment centres discourage people from going into rehab before they make a decision. Most centres will refuse to accept you if you are yet to make a decision.
For that reason, sit down with yourself, and make a choice. Start by being honest with yourself. Then, you have to decide on the goals you want. After you decide, inform your workmates, boss, family, and friends.
On that note, the centre may also not allow you to register if your family wants you to get into rehabilitation without your consent.
- Get rid of triggers
Triggers represent those things that lead you to temptations. For instance, if you are a sex addict, you have to eliminate porn materials in your home or room.
For drug addicts, it is proper that you remove all the types of drugs that cause you to relapse. Do not leave any trace since they can cause you to change your decisions.
It is also wise that you avoid walking into clubs or parties that have drugs such as alcohol or marijuana because you can end up getting drunk that day.
- Look for support
At this point, you may have to look for a new batch of friends, whether it is at work or in your neighbourhood. Ditch your old friends and tell them of your goals.
Tell your family about what you intend to do. Choose people or friends who you know will not judge you in any way.
A good support system will avoid relapse, respect your decision, and even honour your privacy. People with a positive mind can motivate you to turn away from your habits.
- Seek professional help
It will shock you to find out that people will offer you all kinds of advice. However, they should understand that addiction treatment is very different for all victims.
This is why options like using a drug addiction help hotline are very popular, as those struggling can talk to someone anonymously and discuss their options without any pressure from loved ones.
Therefore, your friends may not give you the best treatment that you require. Look for a rehabilitation centre.
Most doctors or counsellors will have to do an initial screening before they start helping you through the process.
- Avoid indulging into new addictive behaviour
Most individuals, once they discover that they need to deal with a particular addiction, they will begin new habits, which also develop into an obsession.
For instance, sexual addicts usually engage in exercises, which, if not careful, create a habit that becomes difficult to stop.
You have to trust the professional that you hire so that he or she can assist you in identifying habits that would crop up in your recovery process.
Final remarks
Be sure to open up to your counsellor so that you can get personalized help. If the addiction goes overboard, you might lose your job, which, as a young professional, can be devastating for you.
Therefore, ensure that you complete your treatment once you enroll because it can be a significant factor of whether you will get a new job or not.
