For those struggling with substance addiction, regaining sobriety and a healthy lifestyle may seem like an unachievable objective; however, numerous recovery and treatment options are available to give the loving help and support needed to overcome addiction, no matter how hopeless the situation seems. Overcoming addiction is a difficult process but it is very possible for anyone suffering with addiction to have an extraordinary recovery. By following the proper steps, one suffering substance addiction can find sobriety once again.

Step 1: Make a Change
€ Making certain life changes is necessary in order to fully commit to recovery and sobriety
€ Think about change and how your addiction is affecting the people you love
€ Think about the things that can help you make the change
€ Make changes to the way you personally deal with stress in your life
€ Change how you spend your free time
€ Changes to your social life and who you spend time with
€ Change how you think about yourself in a positive way
€ Frequently remind yourself of the reasons why you want to change

Step 2: Treatment Options
€ Explore the various treatments options that are available
€ Find a treatment that discusses more topics than just your addiction
€ Find a treatment that you can successfully commit to, that you think will also strongly benefit your recovery process
€ Committing to your addiction treatment is a crucial aspect of your recovery
€ If one treatment does not work for you, do not give up! Look for other options - no single treatment works for everyone
€ Treatments that involve family therapy can be very beneficial to your recovery - your family and close friends can become your strongest support system

Step 3: Ask for Help and Build a Support System
€ Be honest with your family and close friends and tell them that you are quitting and seeking sobriety
€ Ask your loved ones for support
€ Be honest and open with your loved ones and tell them your goals as well as how you wish to achieve your goals
€ Allow them to help you reach sobriety and stay sober
€ Allow your family to help you stay committed to your treatments
€ Meet new sober friends who will support your recovery
€ Take recovery classes, join a church or group or volunteer in your community and make it a priority

Step 4: Learn to Cope
€ Avoid relapse by keeping busy doing healthy activities and taking up healthy hobbies
€ Avoid the places that remind you of your addiction such as bars, clubs, or any place associated with your substance abuse
€ Discover ways to relieve stress without drugs, alcohol or other addictive substances
€ Activities such as exercising, meditating, yoga and practicing breathing techniques are all good examples of healthy ways to relieve stress
€ When experiencing cravings, talk with someone in your support system about it and allow them to help you
€ Even if you do experience relapse, stay strong, positive, and do not give up hope; use the experience to fuel your commitment towards your recovery

Substance addiction is never an easy thing to face, but by taking the appropriate steps, you are giving yourself the opportunity to overcome addiction and find recovery. Whether its drug addiction, alcohol addiction or gambling addiction, it is never too late to find help. Do not give up on yourself and do not lose hope.