Are You Trading One Addiction for Another?
Addiction replacement is a legitimate threat to any length of sobriety. Generally, if a person has an addictive personality, they are likely to have multiple addictions. Sometimes an addict can trade one addiction for another. For addicts replacing one addiction with another can be an attempt to get rid of it altogether and replace it with something positive and constructive. If an addict or an alcoholic is trying to kick their addiction, they may replace it with overeating, for example. However, overeating still suggests a chemical imbalance. The individual still possesses an overwhelming desire for something to achieve that “high” or pleasure by trading addiction for another.
Our experts work with drug and alcohol recovery programs to help those with substance use disorders. Even if a person has defeated addiction before, and relapse has happened, there is help. There are treatment programs that allow the addict to come to terms with their addiction, learn to recognize and stay away from triggers that lead them to use, and eventually discover a new life in recovery. Turn your life around by calling (385) 327-7418.
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Read more about trading addictions and learn more about your treatment options here:
Common Addiction Replacements and Concerns
Once an addict has kicked an addiction to the curb, there is a chance of trading one addiction for another and or partaking in a new activity compulsively to get the same high or pleasure. Individuals with an addictive personality are more susceptible to addiction replacement. Even in an intensive rehabilitation program, there is a concern for addicts starting therapy getting addicted to drugs used in rehabilitation. Therapy drugs help reduce and eliminate the desire to use drugs. Though once an individual is in recovery, replacing an addiction with another addiction is something that they will need to be cautious of.
Common Addiction Substitutes
Here are some common addictions that individuals may succumb to:
• Sex: Sexual addiction is a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Similar to other addictions, its negative impact on the individual and family members increases over time. Over time, the individual must intensify the addictive behavior to achieve results.
• Gambling: Gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system like drugs or alcohol, leading to addiction. Compulsive gambling can be a problem that destroys lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, there can be success.
• Eating: Similar to addictive substances, food can trigger feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine. Food provides the same reward signals to make a person feel they need more, despite being full and satisfied. Overeating can bring intense pleasure.
• Marijuana: Marijuana use is typical for individuals that have used heroin or methamphetamine. Addicts feel that rolling a joint and lighting up is harmless compared to the alternative.
The Replacement Addiction Trap
Sometimes a recovering addict can have the notion that once they recover addiction disappears completely. However, the problem with addiction is that it is sneaky and can come back to haunt you. A person might feel that replacing an addiction is an okay thing to do. The reason someone might switch one bad habit for another is to get that same rewarding feeling or high. When an addict is in recovery at a treatment facility and must take medications, there is a concern.
One treatment approach is replacing the substance with medication to treat both withdrawal and addiction. Treatment medications include buprenorphine and methadone. Medication is not meant to create a new addiction. These substances help individuals in controlled environments. The medications are safe and effective for treating opioid addiction. Medications, unlike illicit substances, have gradual onsets and produce stable levels of the drug in the brain. As a result, patients taking these medications do not experience a rush. More so, the medications markedly reduce the patient’s desire to use opioids.
Fresh Out of Rehab
People can often switch addictions out of boredom as addiction can fill voids in life. Sometimes a person fresh out of rehab can be more susceptible to a new addiction as they feel can handle it, or feel that it is not a threat to their recovery. Productive activities can lead to compulsive behavior. Self-control is a factor for true sobriety and a happy life. There are ways to prevent getting addicted to something else.
Prevent Addiction Switching
The subject of addiction replacement often comes up in counseling sessions because substituting addictions is commonplace. During a recovery program, you may be involved in one-on-one, or group counseling. A positive support system can assist with keeping a positive mindset. Having a positive outlook is a daily challenge. Keeping a positive mindset is vital, try not to let negative thoughts sway that.
Idle hands and isolation can lead to making bad decisions. The company that an individual in recovery keeps is what will strengthen their treatment in the long run. Hanging around other recovering addicts and working with counselors will assist in facing any triggers and traps addiction may bring.
The Pinnacles of a Healthy Lifestyle
At the beginning of your path to sobriety, your recovery professionals will encourage you to participate in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, or another support group. It is crucial to be part of a 12-step program that gives accountability and a support system. When you have a network that contains aftercare staff and fellow addicts in recovery, you will have help keeping sober.
When you plan your day, keep sobriety at the forefront of your planning. Keeping up with healthy hobbies and relaxing the mind and body is beneficial for sustaining sobriety. Every day is a fight with the triggers that the real world presents. The key to sustained recovery is keeping of balance of work, relaxing, healthy nutrition, getting plenty of sleep. Try your best not to overextend yourself in your professional and personal life.
Sustain Your Recovery
Recovery can be an uphill charge, the mind can play tricks. Once you reach therapy, however, there are medications that can help reduce the desire to use drugs. Addiction replacement can hamper any recovery that happened before. Recovering from addiction is a challenge that requires an army of family, friends, others in recovery, and support staff. Being a part of a 12-step program is the best tactic in accountability for recovery. Addiction is sneaky and can rear its ugly head at any time.
Staying away from the people, places, and things that can compromise sobriety, and avoiding high-risk situations will help you sustain a lasting recovery. It is important to replace high-risk scenarios with more healthy and productive surroundings. When undertaking new hobbies, moderation is recommended. Make sure that these new activities do not turn into compulsive behavior. Moderation is key.
In recovery, an addict does not have to change every aspect of their life. However, the more a person clings to things in their old life, the more treacherous the path of recovery can be. Staying away from triggers will help promote long-lasting change. The more a person avoids high-risk situations, the more an individual in recovery can prepare themselves for any scenario.
When all of these precautions are in place, a person can successfully move away from the traps of addiction and substituting one addiction for another. The goal of abstinence is to live a new life and to make their abstinence to addiction lifelong. The treatment programs available will teach addicts the triggers of addiction to make sure that no traps of addiction can be set. If you feel like an activity is getting out of hand, it might be best to modify it or stop it all altogether.
Help is Always Available
Even a person with long-lasting sobriety can fall victim to addiction replacement. The good news is, there are better ways to cope with the urges and desires to participate in compulsive behavior. It is imperative to have activities to look forward to, but not overdo it. Moderation is the key to staying away from addictive behavior. The main objective of recovery is learning a better way of life and making better choices. Having accountability and a support system is the basis of a long-lasting recovery. Addicts in recovery need to be part of a 12-step program and have relationships with fellow addicts in recovery.
That is why it is imperative to seek help for addiction. Through rehab, a person can learn how to stop addiction in its tracks. While an addict in recovery thinks that they are trading one addiction for another with therapy drugs such as buprenorphine and methadone, they are actually treating opioid addiction. Addiction replacement can be deceitful, but it is preventable. We offer drug and alcohol treatment resources for the people of Salt Lake City, UT.
Addiction is strenuous, but there is hope for a better tomorrow. Our experts work with drug and alcohol recovery programs that help those with a substance use disorder. These treatments allow the addict to realize their addiction, learn to recognize, and stay away from triggers. You can find a new life in recovery when you call 385-327-7418 today. It is time to turn your life around.
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Resources
- https://www.verywellmind.com/to-maintain-abstinence-avoid-substituting-addictions-69439
- https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/five-rules-of-recovery.htm
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/use-medications-methadone-buprenorphine-simply-replacing
