Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
If you have struggled with illicit drug abuse, you may have found yourself turning to these drugs for different purposes, including attempts to achieve a sense of high or euphoria, as a means of escaping a painful reality that you may be facing, procrastinating or even celebrating.
Depending on the social circles that you may have associated with during your addiction, illicit drug use may have been used as a means of getting together with friends and finding something to do together.
Recovery from illicit drug abuse involves several different aspects, including the need to find healthier coping mechanisms in place of the illicit drug abuse.
While you may have commonly resorted to abusing illicit drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, and others as a means of confronting or escaping a difficult reality or even as a way of celebrating, developing other means to approach these types of situations is essential for your recovery.
Supportive Social Circle
You may begin by attempting to build a social circle that helps support and uphold your recovery efforts from illicit drug use. While this may be easier said than done, continuing to associate with individuals who frequently turn to illicit drugs as a means of “celebrating” will only hinder and hurt you in your recovery.
Begin by associating with the members involved in your treatment center or support group and join in on some of the activities offered for participants who are in recovery.
While filling your time with healthier coping mechanisms may not give you the instant gratification that you are used to receiving when abusing illicit drugs, you are ultimately rewiring your brain to function without the need of these substances.
Staying connected to your support and treatment professionals will ultimately give you the accountability and support you need to face some of the difficult circumstances you may encounter. While this process and journey is a difficult one, you do not have to walk this road alone.
If you are feeling tempted or pressure to go back to using illicit drugs in the manner that was previously associated with your addiction, be sure to reach out for help immediately. Staying in recovery begins with being proactive and advocating for yourself to preserve your freedom from addiction.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
If you are in recovery from illicit drug abuse, what do you think makes the holiday season more challenging? What resources have been helpful to you when it is tempting to resort back to use drugs for illicit purposes?
Crystal Karges
Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 25, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com