7 Steps You Can Take on Your Own to Break an Opioid Addiction

When you’re struggling with an opioid addiction it can feel like you’ve lost control in your life. The cravings, the money, the broken ties with family and friends may seem to have gone too far to fix.

If you’re in the midst of opioid addiction, there’s hope. Professional treatment can offer the healing and support you need, but if you want to get started at this moment, here are 7 concrete steps you can take today to take back control of your life.

1. Throw away drug paraphernalia

A doable first step in addressing opioid addiction is to discard any drug paraphernalia you may have. Better yet, smash it, flush it down the toilet or throw it away somewhere you can’t go back for it. Get rid of it permanently, and the sooner, the better.

2. Delete contacts in your phone

One of the quickest ways to cut off your supply is to cut out your supplier. Deleting your supplier’s contact in your phone (and anyone who could connect you to drugs) is a simple and easy step that can have a big impact on ending your addiction. Make sure to disconnect on social media, too.

3. Tell someone about it

Telling a loved one about your opioid addiction is one concrete step you can take to boost your recovery. If you have someone on your team who can inspire you towards sobriety, the journey will be easier and less lonely. You’ll benefit from better accountability and a reinforced relationship with a sober friend. 

Hopefully, your friend or family member will also assist you in getting set up with treatment. Just make sure you don’t put pressure on your buddy to “fix” your addiction, only you and a team of professionals can do that.

4. Educate yourself on withdrawal symptoms

If you’ve been using opioids regularly and you abruptly stop, your body is going to have a reaction. A system that has become adjusted to the presence of opioids will go through a period of detox without them.

As your body rids itself of toxins, there are numerous symptoms you may experience. When you know about the sensations of detox ahead of time, you’ll be ready to handle them. 

It’s highly recommended to undergo this process in a licensed detoxification facility, so medical and mental health experts can help you manage the negative symptoms without turning back to opioids. You can start the mental prep on your own though, and you can do it now.

5. Start a recovery journal

When you start a substance use recovery journal the message will stick in your head that your recovery starts today. Your journey won’t take a linear path, and that’s ok. A substance use journal is a place to chronicle all the ups and downs from the moment you decide to commit.

If you’re not sure how to start a journal, check out these 31 addiction recovery journal prompts. All you need is a pencil and paper to make the next step towards sobriety.

6. Imagine your life free from opioids

One of the best ways to address an opioid addiction right now is to picture yourself sober. When you break free from an opioid addiction you’ll experience more mental clarity, have more energy, feel better physically and have more opportunities to live the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Imagining that life now can offer you motivation to start the journey and to continue when you embrace roadblocks. Whether you spend a few quiet minutes visualizing your happier self or journal about it, imagining your future is a step you can take right now to get a leg up on addiction.

7. Write down goals

Imagining a freer future naturally leads to setting goals for yourself. What do you want to accomplish when you’re no longer chained down by drugs? Write career goals, family goals and mental health goals.

When you engage in treatment a therapist or addiction counselor will help you to build goals into your treatment plan, but start brainstorming now for an extra dose of inspiration and a positive outlook.

Call for help

Making the call to start treatment doesn’t have to wait. When you’re ready to commit to ending an addiction, look into local treatment options. Once you decide where to start your journey, an addiction specialist can help you determine the appropriate level of care, organize transportation and schedule services.

Getting help for comorbid disorders is also crucial to your success in sobriety. Anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders often accompany addictions, and managing them with therapy and medication can make recovery more attainable.

Your future starts now

Kicking an opioid addiction is no easy task, but there are things you can do today to start your journey off on the right foot. Cut ties with contacts, find a sober community and get yourself ready for treatment. You deserve a life free from opioids, and you can start today.

Pyramid Online Counseling can offer you the support you need to get sober and stay sober. Flexible scheduling and licensed professionals can help you with the next set of concrete steps towards a life independent from opioids. Call to get set up with treatment at 833-525-3077.