10% of American adults struggle with drug use disorder at some time in their lives. This is a huge problem not only because it can harm our loved ones, but it’s also causing our society to deteriorate.
If you don’t want your loved one or yourself to fall into substance abuse, then prevention is key.
While difficult, it’s possible to prevent substance abuse in some cases. Here are some tips.
Get Support During Transitional Times
Whether it’s concerning yourself, your spouse, or children, transitional times can be extremely stressful. This can trigger someone to turn to substance abuse, so be on the lookout for anyone struggling in your family.
Sometimes, all it takes is having an open ear to get someone through tough times, especially your kids. Make sure to listen without judgment so they feel safe. That way, they’ll willingly come to you when they’re feeling down.
If you’re the one who’s having trouble, know that you can reach out to your friends and family. They love you and want to support you through difficult times, so take advantage of your caring network!
Change Peer Groups
Hanging out with the wrong crowd can get you into some serious trouble. If you find that your friends always want to party, chances are, you’ve outgrown this peer group and it’s time to look for more wholesome friends.
It can be daunting to leave a friend group, especially if you’ve hung out with them for years. But you need to look out for yourself and if these people encourage you to abuse substances, then they don’t have your best interests at heart.
If you’re having a tough time finding new friends, try sober groups. These people won’t want to drink and do drugs, so temptation will be out of the way.
Seek Therapy
Many people turn to substances as a way to self-medicate. Drugs and alcohol can provide a quick escape from mental illness and trauma. But these are just temporary band-aids that don’t solve the problem.
Therapy can be challenging because not everyone wants to face their demons. But once you get past that hurdle, it can be a freeing experience that’s effective for substance abuse prevention.
Go to Rehab
Some people like to indulge every once in a while, but that’s a slippery slope that can lead to addiction. For example, veterans struggle with addiction after they come home because many have unaddressed mental health issues plus they’re not used to civilian life.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have full-blown addiction to go to rehab. If you’re having problems, going to rehab is great for preventing substance abuse like opioid addiction which an online suboxone clinic is willing to help you even in the comfort of your own home.
Prevent Substance Abuse With Our Tips
If you or a loved one are going down the slippery road to addiction, then prevent substance abuse now. By reevaluating your life and taking the above steps, you’ll be able to change directions and get on the path to a healthier and happier life.
If you found this brief substance abuse guide helpful, then check out our other blog posts now.
