When you live with something for so long, it's extremely hard to imagine your life without it. But when an addict has hit rock bottom (sometimes multiple times), whatever that rock bottom looks like, having a massive change and not living in their status quo can seem like a dream.
The thing about letting go of addiction means that the addict will have to completely change their life, they have to let go of their old habits, they have to let go of people that trigger them, they have to let go of places that trigger them - they have to identify and let go of all of their triggers!
Letting go of an addiction is not simply letting go of a bottle, or putting down a cigarette or a substance, letting go of an addiction is actually letting go of the person we used to be, the life we used to live, the people, the family that we used to have - letting go of all of that. This is one of the major reasons why it is so hard for addicts to become sober because they want to let go of the substance, but it's so hard to let go of the friends, the lifestyle, the life that they've built around the addiction. But ultimately, in order for an addict to become sober for good, they need to let go of that lifestyle, they need to move forward for themselves, to be happy, to live a life of fulfillment, to be healthy and so often this is so misunderstood.So often people on the outside can say well why don't you just stop. When they can’t just stop.
If it were that easy everyone would do it.
So, how do we let go of our own addiction?
Put Your Needs First: This may seem strange, but we have to decide what type of a life we want to live, for the rest of our lives. From there we have to make the necessary changes to get there.
Elimination: We have to let go of the substance, all of the triggers, the lifestyle and move forward. And that's a lot to take in all at once, it is a shock, it is a massive change but it is something that is absolutely necessary.
Get Help: Once the attic has decided to change, they will likely be isolated from the individuals that they used to use with, and that’s ok. Getting help from loved ones and medical professionals, therapists and coaches (such as myself) will encourage their sobriety growth, continued recovery success and build a new life of fulfillment.
In a therapeutic setting an addict can feel safe to talk about their experience with the substance that they were addicted to, and in a safe non-judgemental environment. They can feel like they can put down their guard to be vulnerable and discuss their rock bottoms, because sometimes this is the hardest thing that they are living with, the shame, the fear, the doubt. Often the addict needs to get this off their shoulders and move forward, and moving forward is where coaching comes in. Coaching is all about goal setting and creating a vision for this new and wonderful sober life. Imagining and creating a life of happiness, fulfillment and excitement without the fear of relapse.
Contact Lianne@LivingPotential.Today for more information about coaching and therapy for addiction and recovery.