When you’re struggling with a substance abuse disorder, it can be difficult to break the individual habits that brought you to addiction on your own. Professional help is sometimes necessary for you to learn how to break the patterns of addiction. The patterns that you are operating within can be detrimental to your health, and they can make relapse far more likely if you’re trying to quit without help. Working with a professional mental health treatment plan is the best way to access recovery.
If the patterns and habits in your life are making recovery more difficult, look no further than Oceanfront Recovery. Our centers in Orange County are beautifully furnished and modern, equipped with a host of amenities. We offer many different therapy options, so each client can get the individual treatment that they need. We want you to be in an environment where you can feel safe, secure, and comfortable. For more information about our in-patient substance abuse treatment program or other treatment options, call us today at 877.296.7477. We would love to help you learn how to break the habits of addiction.
Why Breaking Addiction Patterns Are So Hard
Breaking addiction patterns can be incredibly difficult. That’s because these patterns are deeply ingrained in our brain chemistry and behavior. Our brains get used to certain behaviors, so when we try to break them, it feels like a mental tug of war. It takes conscious effort to shift our thought processes and establish new habits that lead us away from the cycle of addiction.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “What gets rewarded gets repeated.” This is especially true with addiction, as our brains are hardwired to seek out rewards and avoid pain. In short, if we get pleasure or relief from a certain behavior, it will be very difficult to break that pattern. It’s not enough to simply try to break a habit; we need to establish new, healthier habits to replace them.
6 Patterns of Addiction and How to Break Them
The following are six tips on how to break patterns of addiction.
1. The Craving Versus the Disappointment
When you’re addicted to a substance that triggers dopamine or serotonin, you slowly build a tolerance to it the more you use. A common result of this is feeling intense cravings or desires for the substance but then being unable to enjoy the high you achieve. It feels necessary to use, but you get none of the pleasure that made you start using. With professional treatment, you can learn to cope with these cravings in a healthier way.
2. Self-Medicating with Substances
Many addictions reach a point where you may feel like using is a treatment for other symptoms. Many people use addictive substances as a way to escape a situation or treat something they may not be getting proper medical attention for. Actual medical treatment, sometimes through a dual diagnosis treatment plan, can work here.
3. Feeling Out of Control in Your Addiction
Substance abuse is a difficult burden to bear. It can feel as if you are no longer in control of your actions, and using is a habit you simply can’t break. Professional treatment is necessary for many to regain control over their actions.
4. Engaging in Risky Behavior
When you’re using an addictive substance regularly, you may find yourself getting into more trouble or taking risks that aren’t worth it. Whether risky behavior occurs when you’re trying to score or when you’re high, risking your health and safety is never a good idea. Coping strategies learned in therapy can help you minimize risky behavior, and sobriety helps many people quit taking these unnecessary risks entirely.
5. Isolating Yourself
Addiction can cause you to pull away from the things that really matter – your family, friends, other loved ones, and general lifestyle. When the people you love know that you’re struggling, it can be hard to face them. Getting clean is an excellent way to start your social life fresh.
6. Crossing the Wires of Addiction
Co-occurring substance abuse issues are more common than you may think. Many people with addictions substitute one for the other, and not all addictions involve substances. Sex and gambling are common addictions to turn to when people need a distraction from drug or alcohol cravings. Co-occurring addictions can be treated in tandem with a good program.
Want to know more about how to break the addiction in your life? We are here to help people in our care discover how to break the patterns of addiction.
Call Oceanfront Recovery Today
The common thread among these habits is that professional substance abuse treatment is the best way to break these habits. Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach is proud to be a first choice for treatment in the county. We know that deciding to get help isn’t a decision you’ve taken lightly, and we would love to customize a treatment plan to fit your specific needs. For more information on what we have to offer you, contact us by calling 877.296.7477 or via our online form.