Making a New Year’s Resolution
At some point in our lives we have all written down a list of personal New Year’s resolutions, looking forward to the year ahead with a sense of optimism and anticipation. This long-standing tradition is healthy and productive, and revolves around a commitment to self-betterment and the idea that we will strive to become “the best version of ourselves” as the new year continues to unfold. Unfortunately, most New Year’s resolutions don’t make it past February. We either bite off more than we can chew or find that when push comes to shove, we lack the motivation and drive necessary to stay completely committed long-term. At this point in time we tend to throw in the towel completely, accepting the sense of defeat and promising ourselves that next year will be different.
When it comes to making the resolution to quit drugs, however, it is pretty important that we avoid continuously making excuses for ourselves or bumping our resolution to the next year if we find that we lack the impetus to push through. If we want to quit drugs – if drug abuse or addiction has become a problem and we have been experiencing consequences as a direct result – it is important that rather than throw in the towel early we stick to our guns and reach out for help whenever necessary.
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Making a Resolution to Quit Drugs
Making a resolution to quit drugs is far more complicated than making a resolution to work out regularly or read one book every month. For many, quitting drugs rapidly becomes a matter of life and death. Drug addiction is a progressive disease, meaning that if left untreated the associated symptoms only continue to progressively worsen – they get worse, never better. If you are serious about quitting drugs in 2021, reaching out for professional intervention is always necessary. In most cases, medically monitored detox is a required first step on every road to drug addiction recovery. Once you have been physically stabilized, you transfer into the next appropriate level of clinical care – which might be residential rehab or intensive outpatient treatment, depending on the severity of the drug abuse disorder.
Which Level of Care is Right For You?
When determining which level of care best suits your personal needs, there are several important factors to consider. These include:
- What drug or drugs you have been using regularly – For example, if you were using heroin intravenously (which puts you at high risk of overdose) or if you were smoking methamphetamine on a daily basis, inpatient treatment is likely an ideal choice. If you were taking an Adderall prescription in a slightly higher dose than prescribed for around two months, an intensive outpatient program might function as a stand-alone treatment option. For more information on which level of care is right for you, reach out to Guardian Recovery today for an over-the-phone evaluation.
- The severity of the drug abuse disorder – If you have already suffered a range of interpersonal, work-related, legal and financial consequences, inpatient treatment is a great choice. Taking an extended break from the wreckage of your past allows you to focus all of your attention on the present moment, making the most out of your treatment experience. If you were abusing a drug for a short period of time and you have not yet suffered any significant consequences, intensive outpatient might be a better option. Again, reach out for more information.
- Your level of financial capability – Drug addiction severely compromises all aspects of life – including financial stability. If you are currently underinsured, uninsured and unable to pay out-of-pocket for drug addiction treatment, a less intensive level of clinical care might suit you best. However, Guardian Recovery works very closely with most major regional and national health insurance providers, making quality clinical care highly accessible. Call us today for a free, no obligation health insurance benefit check.
- The presence of any underlying disorders or concerns – For example, if you have previously been diagnosed with a mental illness like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis treatment is necessary. If you are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or unresolved childhood trauma, finding a treatment center that focuses on trauma-informed care will improve your chances of staying sober long-term. Additionally, it is a good idea to look for a demographic-specific treatment center – not just one that is gender-specific, but also one that offers age-specific treatment tracks and a program designed for working professionals.
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8 Helpful Tips For Quitting Drugs
How to Successfully Quit Drugs This Year
If you are dedicated to making your resolution to quit drugs stick, there are several steps to take. We have outlined eight helpful tips to make your recovery-related resolutions last all year:
- Be honest with yourself – If you really want to quit drugs, you will have to take action – and this is impossible to do if you don’t admit to yourself (and to your loved ones) that you might actually have a problem. Rather than writing down a list of resolutions, try writing down a list of facts that revolve around your patterns of drug use. For example, “I have tried to quit drugs on my own accord, and I haven’t been able to.” Or, “If I keep using drugs the way I have been, I will flunk out of school.”
- Reach out for help whenever necessary – Drug addiction is a complex and insidious disease – one that you cannot tackle all on your own. If things have gotten out of hand there is absolutely no shame in reaching out for professional help or advice.
- Break your personal goals down into small, attainable steps – Having the resolution, “Get sober,” is a lot more intimidating than the resolution, “Enter into a medical detox program by the end of January.” Try not to overwhelm yourself.
- Commit yourself completely to your personal program of recovery – Drug addiction recovery does not work unless you do. Stay committed to doing whatever it takes to overcome your addiction, whether that means attending two Narcotics Anonymous meetings daily or committing to three months in inpatient rehab.
- Reward yourself as you make progress – Incentivizing yourself can be extremely beneficial. If you make it 30 days without picking up a mood or mind altering substance, treat yourself to a nice dinner after picking up your 30 day chip at your homegroup, for example. Congratulate yourself on a job well done.
- Learn from past mistakes – There is a good chance you have tried to quit drugs before – unsuccessfully. Map out where you went wrong and develop an entirely new plan of action.
- Stay grateful – Any forward progress is amazing. Do what you can to maintain a sense of gratitude as you begin on your personal journey of recovery.
- The most important step is being honest with yourself. – If you fail to do this straight away, there is a very good chance that your resolution to quit drugs won’t stick. Be honest, reach out for help (acknowledging that you can’t quit drugs on your own), and stay as committed as possible to your personal recovery program. You’ve got this.
Drug Addictions We Treat
At Guardian Recovery we treat a variety of drug addictions, including:
- Alcohol
- Opiates (prescription painkillers and heroin)
- Synthetic opioids (fentanyl)
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium)
- Prescription stimulants (Adderall, ritalin)
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Hallucinogenic drugs (LSD, psilocybin, MDMA)
- Over-the-counter medications (dextromethorphan)
- Synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones
- Inhalants
- Marijuana
No matter what chemical substance (or combination of chemical substances) you or your loved one has been abusing, we are available to help.
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Guardian Recovery Individualized Addiction Recovery
At Guardian Recovery we are dedicated to helping men and women of all ages overcome drug addiction long-term and go on to lead to happy and fulfilling lives they deserve. We offer a range of demographic-specific programs, all developed by a team of compassionate professionals with combined decades of experience in the field of addiction and mental health. If you are serious about quitting drugs in the new year and you would like to learn more about our individualized programs of drug addiction recovery contact us today.Get Started Now
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
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