Many people struggle with heroin dependency and want to break free from it. However, unlike getting addicted to it, leaving the harmful substance is challenging. It takes willpower, nerves of steel, and your loved ones’ support to overcome addiction. Regardless of the reason behind developing a habit, discontinuing it requires steering your life into a different yet positive direction.
Substance use changes the way the brain functions so that it craves heroin now and then, leading to addiction. Fortunately, patients can reclaim their lives after undergoing proper treatment. Rehabilitation programs are rigorous and test your nerves, but the result makes all the effort worth it. Heroin-dependent people must search extensively for institutes that offer treatment and pick one that suits them. That said, let’s dive into stages of heroin addiction and some steps to reclaiming your life to break free from dependence.
Stages of heroin abuse
Generally, the first stage is experimenting with heroin to see its impact on life. The sudden euphoria and the illusion of disappearance of all life problems make people use it repeatedly, slowly developing into a bad habit.
The second stage is uncontrollable use of the substance. You start using it regularly before realizing it because it provides you solace. Regular use of heroin makes people dependent on it, and they become helpless. An uncontrolled habit of consuming heroin requires you to go through proper treatment.
Ideally, you must search for a rehabilitation center within your city to get proper help. A quick search on the internet can help you out. For example, patients in Florida’s Palm Beach County can Google ‘Palm Beach Institute for rehab’ and shortlist a few options. Repeat the same for any US county or city you live in. Renowned rehabilitation centers provide quality medical detox tailored to addicts’ requirements and assure long-term recovery.
The 12-step program has been effective in helping people discontinue destructive substances. Below are the steps listed of the mentioned program:
Twelve steps to quit heroin
- Recognize you are in a problem and feel powerless in front of heroin
- Have a firm belief that you can overcome the addiction
- Decide to turn your life for the better
- Make a moral inventory for yourself
- Admit to yourself and other people or one person that consuming heroin is ruining your life
- Say aloud and recognize that you are ready to lead a life without heroin
- Overcome your faults
- Jot down names of all the people you have wronged and be willing to admit it in front of them
- Practically take steps to make amends with such people
- Work on personal moral inventory; even in the process if ever commit a mistake, promptly admit and attempt to rectify it
- Improve conscious contact with the self and pray to provide beneficial knowledge
- Have spiritual awakening through these steps and continue using these principles in all affairs of life
The twelve-step program is a thoroughly thoughtful, structured plan to help break away from heroin. The goal is to heal spiritually and develop strong willpower to discontinue the harmful habit. The first four steps prepare you to take the plunge and build readiness to change. The following steps involve admitting that you were wrong with some people and consciously attempting to rectify your actions and amend them.
Step nine is a challenging task as admitting in front of people that you committed mistakes. Realizing you were wrong requires courage and making amend you to demonstrate perseverance. The last steps involve maintaining healthy habits.
Let’s learn about other ways to help break free from heroin dependence.
- Avoid triggers
Consciously avoid friends and places that lead you to heroin consumption. Many people relapse and get into the habit again during the treatment. Most of the time, people fail to suppress the urge. As a result, before they realize they pick up the dangerous habit again. It is better not to test your nerves and avoid triggers, especially when you are under treatment.
- Discover new hobbies
Another effective way of dealing with heroin dependency is to discover new hobbies. Contrary to popular belief, you can pick up new hobbies even when you grow older. Try reading different books, watching videos, gardening, or playing video games. It will help divert your mind and keep it occupied.
- Alter your daily routine
Incorporate physical activities into your routine. Burning calories helps in curbing the urge to consume dangerous substances. Get a gym membership, encourage friends to go on walks or jogging. Ensure to get quality sleep every night. Instead of wasting time on bad habits, try to stay occupied in productive ways to enhance the quality of life.
- Express
People dependent on heroin go through a lot in their lives and keep things to themselves. They get into the dangerous habit to drown their worries. Instead of letting things bottle up inside, express yourself. Pick up a mode that suits you and let your feelings out. You can have friends and have a heart-to-heart with them. Letting sorrowful feelings out helps in breaking away from the dangerous habit.
- Jot down harmful effects
Writing is therapeutic and is more effective than speaking. People know the harmful effects of heroin consumption and how it ruins their life. Jot the destructive impact of the dangerous substance. It will serve as a reminder of why you’re quitting and boost your willpower to resist the urge to consume it again.
Conclusion
Almost everyone is aware heroin is a destructive substance and harms our well-being in the long run. Still, the number of people getting into substance abuse is increasing. Several people start thinking that little quantity will not hurt and soon become reliant on it. Breaking free from heroin dependence is not for people with weak determination. You can overcome the addiction by showing perseverance and demonstrating the utmost diligence. The 12-step program helps in discontinuing the harmful substance and long-term recovery.
I am Jones Smith and I am here to share my experience and expertise in writing. I’ve been writing articles for different publications for more than 6 years. I have a varied range of interests and that’s why I love blogging about different topics. In my opinion, blogging is a lot like acting, and I consider writing blog posts as an acting job. I am an entrepreneur by heart and there is nothing big or small when it comes to starting a business.