The way to healing

OVERCOMING AN addiction can be one of the hardest things a person can experience in his life. Addiction medicine specialist Dr. Steven M. Melemis states that a person doesn’t simply recover from an addiction by stopping.

“You recover by creating a new life where it is easier to not use,” Dr. Melemis noted in an article at addictionsandrecovery.org. He added that if the addict doesn’t create a new life, then the factors that brought him his addiction will eventually return and catch up.

“You don’t have to change everything in your life. But there are a few things and behaviors that have been getting you into trouble, and they will continue to get you into trouble until you let them go.” Dr. Melemis then said that the more a person tries to hold onto his old life in recovery, the less well he will do.

One common thing that people need to change to be able to attain full recovery is to avoid highrisk situations. Typical high-risk situations include being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.

“You’re probably hungry because you haven’t eaten well,” Dr. Melemis stated. “That’s why your strongest cravings usually occur at the end of the day.”

He added that another way of looking at highrisk situations are people, places, and things that trigger you from returning to your old habits.

So how can people stay away from high-risk situations? Dr. Melemis stated that addicts can’t always avoid these situations. “But if you’re aware of them, they won’t catch you off guard, and you can prevent little craving from turning into major urges.

The doctor suggests recovering addicts to be mindful of their overall health and learning how to relax in order to let go of anger and resentments. Developing better sleep habits so that you get less tired is another example.

“Recovery isn’t about one big change. It’s about lots of little changes. Avoiding those highrisk situations helps you create a new life where it’s easier to not use,” he said.

By making a list of one’s high-risk situations makes addicts more aware of and lets them take note of the points they might have missed. “Make the list and keep it with you. Some day that list may save your life.”

Dr. Melemis also advised recovering addicts to be honest. “An addiction requires lying. You have to lie about getting your drug, using it, hiding its consequences, and planning your next relapse.”

Despite that, he stated that there is still a way out as recovery requires absolute honesty to oneself and the people who want to help you overcome your addiction. “When you’re completely honest, you don’t give your addiction room to hide. When you lie you leave the door open to relapse.”

Honesty won’t come naturally and easily in the beginning. He added that addicts need to practice telling the truth a lot of times before it comes more effortless. “In the beginning, you’ll have to stop yourself as you’re telling a story and say, ‘ now that I think about it, it was more like this…’”

On a lighter note, Dr. Melemis said that one’s addiction gives you the opportunity to change your life. But changing one’s life is what makes recovery both difficult and rewarding.

“If you use this opportunity for change, you’ll look back and think of your addiction as one of the best things that ever happened to you. People in recovery often describe themselves as grateful addicts.”

But why would someone be grateful to have an addiction? Dr. Melemis asks.

“Because addiction helped them find an inner peace and tranquillity that most people crave. Recovery can help you change your life,” he said. —