Preventing a relapse into drug abuse often requires significant changes in habits and lifestyle. Depending on the severity of the drug problem, recovery (the stage that follows withdrawal) can be extremely difficult.
Still, there are steps you can take to make it easier to remain clean:
- Seek the support of family members, friends and colleagues.
- Join a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous.
- Avoid places and situations that you associate with drug use. Try to make new friends who don’t use drugs, and stay away from friends when they are using drugs.
- Be careful not to substitute another kind of addictive behavior — such as gambling, smoking or overeating — for your former addiction.
- Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Physical activity stimulates your body to release chemicals that make you feel good.
Remember, recovery doesn’t happen overnight. If you have a relapse, don’t use it as an excuse to go back to your old habits. Think carefully about what led to the incident, and plan how to avoid the same reaction next time.
