Deciding to get clean is the first step to overcoming addiction. Unfortunately, things get a great deal tougher after you make that initial decision. If you want to overcome your addiction and put your life back together, it’s a good idea to have a plan. Below are three steps you will need to take in your journey towards sobriety.
Get Help
Addiction is very hard to beat alone. There are many resources, such as 12 step programs and rehab that may be able to help you should you feel that is an option you should consider. You may, however, need people around you to help keep you accountable. Don’t make yourself go through this difficult process alone if you don’t have to—there are people and resources out there to help you.
Take Responsibility
While getting help is good, that doesn’t mean you can put the responsibility of getting sober on the shoulders of others. Ultimately, the bulk of the work is going to be up to you. In most cases, that means holding yourself accountable for your own choices. In other circumstances, it may mean making up for the damage you have caused. As you go through the process of recovery, you may face legalities that could be overwhelming. Talk to federal drug violation lawyers that may be able to help advise you in certain legal situations.
Be Realistic
Finally, you’ll have to do one of the hardest things a recovering addict can do—be realistic. While you will have many people hoping for your success, the road to recovery can have many highs and lows. While you might beat yourself up when you’re not perfect, you will still be able to stay on the right track. It’s important to be empathetic on focus on progress not perfection. Set realistic goals for yourself and allow yourself the opportunity to get back up after you’ve fallen down. Perfect people don’t exist—but those who work hard can get much closer to perfection.
The road to recovery will be long. It will often also tend to be painful. If you are willing to follow it, though, you can live a life that isn’t defined by your addiction. Get help when you need it, take responsibility for yourself and be realistic—if you can manage that, you’ve got a better chance of getting sober.