If you’re addicted to drugs and want to quit, you might assume you need to get treatment from professionals. And while most people do benefit from going to an addiction treatment center, not everyone has the time or money to do this.
In that case, it’s worth it to try to stop your addiction on your own, at least until you can afford to go to a clinic for help. If you’re ready to try quitting on your own, let these tips guide you as you get started.
Learn What to Expect from Withdrawal
If you want to quit drugs the safe way, it’s important to know how your body will likely react. Even if you really want to quit, you’ll have to deal with withdrawal symptoms—some of which can be dangerous and even deadly.
So first, do some research on what to expect during detox. The following are some of the most dangerous drugs to detox from on your own:
- Alcohol
- Heroin
- Benzodiazepines (like Xanax and Valium)
- Barbiturates
Detoxing from these drugs can cause serious symptoms, such as tremors, panic attacks, high blood pressure, seizures, stroke, and even death. So before you quit these drugs at home, talk to a doctor or addiction treatment center to arrange for medical supervision during detox.
Most other drugs don’t require medical supervision during detox. This is because the withdrawal symptoms— nausea, vomiting, fatigue and anxiety—may be uncomfortable, but not typically deadly. The following are some drugs you may be able to quit at home without any life-threatening symptoms:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Meth
- Ecstasy
- GHB
Determine Your Motivation
To have a chance of quitting, you need to want this. It should be your decision to quit. But that doesn’t mean you can’t think of your loved ones during your journey. For some people, realizing the impact their drug use has on their family is a powerful motivator.
So if one of your parents, siblings, children, or friends has ever told you they were let down by you or afraid of you due to your drug use, keep that in mind. Consider asking your loved ones to write you letters detailing how your drug use has affected them, so you can refer to them as you quit your addiction.
And of course, think about how your addiction has affected your own life. Did you lose an amazing job, quit a fun hobby, or lose a good friend because you did drugs? Sit down and really think about the impact these losses had on you, and whether the drugs were worth it. Then imagine how you’ll take up that hobby again or rekindle that friendship once you quit your addiction.
Create Obstacles That Make It Harder to Use Drugs
Once you have your motivation in mind, work on making it hard to get or use the drug you’re addicted to. Typically, this starts by ending any relationships that enable you to easily use drugs. So if you have so-called friends you only hang out with when you’re on drugs, cut them out of your life.
If you feel like letting them know why you’re about to disappear from their lives, you can send them a text that explains that you’re getting clean and cannot be in contact anymore. If you’re not that close, you can simply block their number and unfriend them on social media. Either way, you need to only spend time with people who will support your sobriety.
Next, think of other details in your life that lead you to buy drugs and cut them out as well. For example, if you always pay in cash, stop carrying cash with you. If you only do drugs when you drink, it’s time to quit drinking, too. And if you always buy drugs from the same house or business, avoid the area as you work on ending your addiction.
Stay Busy
Another way to stop your drug addiction on your own is to fill your time with things to do. This will give you less time to think about how you miss the lifestyle that came with your drug use. So, if there’s a hobby or sport you always wanted to try, now is the time to start.
Many people focus more on self-care. After all, you’re already getting healthier and improving yourself by quitting dangerous substances. So why not start a new workout regimen, a healthier diet, or makeup and hair routine? Not only will this fill your time, but it will also improve your confidence and mood.
Of course, part of treating your addiction is getting support from friends and family. So if you have loved ones who want you to succeed at getting clean, spend more time with them. Plan fun things to do together, text them more, and feel free to call them when you need support and motivation as you quit drugs.
Know When You Need Treatment from Professionals
While it is possible to quit some drugs on your own, not everyone is able to do it. And, it is always best to seek the help of a qualified treatment center to ensure that you are really working on yourself in a safe and drug-free environment. So, if you try out these tips and still find yourself addicted to drugs, there is help available via local treatment centers.
Whether you’re interested in an inpatient or outpatient center, you’ll find numerous quality treatment centers near you by searching through our directory. Start your search for a center today so you can begin treatment as soon as possible!
Sources:
- Alcohol, Benzos, and Opiates—Withdrawal That Might Kill You
- Treatment and Recovery
- Is It Safe to Quit Substances Cold Turkey? Here’s What to Consider