How to Overcome Drug Addiction in Gainesville

How to Know if You Have a Drug Addiction

When you begin using drugs, you never intend to develop a drug addiction. You may have started using drugs as a recreational activity or a way to have a quick escape from the hardships in life. Regardless of how your drug use began, if your drug use has progressed into drug addiction, it is probably a good indicator to look closer at your drug use and get help to learn how to overcome drug addiction through a drug rehab program. 

If you are experiencing some of the following challenges, it is time to evaluate your drug use and look into drug rehab options to help free you from the chains of addiction:

  • Expressing you want to quit your drug use but are unable to do so 
  • When you are not using drugs, experiencing severe cravings, or exhibiting withdrawal symptoms 
  • Using more significant amounts of drugs to reach the desired effect 
  • Experiencing difficulties at work or school due to your drug use 
  • Job loss
  • Financial concerns such as borrowing money, stealing money, or being unable to pay bills due to drug use 
  • Losing interest in activities that once brought you joy as your focus becomes centered around your drug use 
  • Continuing to use drugs even after you experience problems within social and familial relationships 
  • Engaging in high-risk behavior or activities such as using drugs while driving, engaging in criminal activity, 
  • Change in the social circle to one that is centered around drug use 

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Why Is Drug Addiction so Difficult to Overcome?

It is often frustrating for those engaging in drug use when you know deep down that you do not want to use anymore but still find yourself going back even with the best intentions of quitting. The more you attempt to stop and find yourself going back to using drugs, the more that you doubt your ability to move into sobriety and wonder why your addiction is so difficult to overcome. This doesn’t reflect poorly on you as a person; it demonstrates that the chemical makeup of drugs is robust and requires additional support to help you safely and effectively remove drug use from your life. 

Drugs have a significant impact on your brain’s chemistry and change the brain’s overall functioning. Most commonly used drugs will dramatically impact the amount of dopamine produced within your brain. Dopamine is responsible for the “feel good” responses within your brain. As your drug intake increases, more dopamine is being created, which can lead to addiction.

Tips for Overcoming Drug Addiction

While your previous attempts to quit using drugs may be disheartening, there is hope to overcome your drug addiction and it is possible. Here are some helpful tips that will help you be successful in your venture to quit drugs and regain your life again. 

The first step to changing your drug addiction is admitting that you have a problem. Once you can identify you have a problem, you will be better equipped to seek the help you need. Other steps on how to overcome drug addiction include: 

  • Talk to your doctor: Make an appointment to go over your overall physical health and assess your body’s physical dependence on drugs and the potential of withdrawal or detox symptoms you will experience 
  • Speak with an addiction treatment center: Any staff within a rehab center are experts in the field of addiction. They can be an excellent resource for you to get the help you need and answer any questions you have about your addiction or drug addiction in general. 
  • Find a therapist: Addiction is often caused by unresolved emotional pain or trauma. A therapist will help you process the underlying reasons for your addiction while learning new, healthy coping skills.
  • Understand your triggers: Some form of a trigger often produces the urge to use drugs, whether situational, emotional, or interpersonal. Once you can identify triggers, you will be able to plan accordingly for the next time you encounter a trigger and gain the skills to avoid any relapse behavior. 
  • Follow an aftercare plan: These are typically created within a treatment center. This plan will detail activities and supports in place that will help you maintain your overarching goal of sobriety. 
  • Receive treatment for any co-occurring disorders: Individuals living with addiction often have a co-occurring mental health disorder. Having support for your mental health disorder will help you learn new methods of managing unpleasant symptoms while keeping you abstinent from drugs. 
  • Attend a support group: Many individuals find 12 step or SMART recovery groups beneficial in maintaining sobriety. These groups allow patients to discuss their experience with addiction while also helping to build a foundation of support. 

Types of Drug Addiction Treatment in Gainesville

WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers residents of Gainesville a variety of drug addiction treatment programs that are bound to fit within your lifestyle with ease while meeting your needs and goals for recovery. 

For Gainesville residents that need a fresh start that removes them from their home environment to avoid any outside distractions, choosing an inpatient treatment program will allow you the time and space to focus solely on your healing journey. Other Gainesville residents that may not be able to put their work and home life responsibilities on pause can opt to participate in outpatient drug addiction treatment. Outpatient allows patients to come into the center for therapeutic sessions and work with a life skills guide that will assist patients in creating a new, healthy routine that fosters a life in recovery. 

Contact WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today to discuss your drug addiction treatment program to learn how to overcome drug addiction and get you on the right track for life in sobriety. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.