Marijuana and Illicit Drugs

There is hope

Using marijuana or illicit drugs is often the sign of a deeper issue. What starts off as a way to take a temporary break from everyday life or “numb the pain” can quickly take control of your life.

There are better ways to deal with what this world throws at you. You can find hope and a new direction. Clean living is happy living.

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES

There are many healthy alternatives to using drugs and addiction as a coping mechanism, and these can be used in recovery to minimize relapse and keep moving forward. They include:

Exercise:

Exercise releases endorphins and helps to reduce tension, stabilize moods, and improve self-esteem and sleep habits. Staying physically active can boost both emotional and physical health and is a way to manage stress, helping you to control cravings and prevent relapse.

 

Mindfulness meditation:

Yoga, meditation and mindfulness meditation can be useful coping mechanisms to bring about self-reflection. They may make you more in tune with your body, decreasing tension and stress.

 

Spirituality:

For many, finding faith and a connection to a higher power can provide an inner strength and a foundation for managing difficulties as well as for self-introspection. Twelve-step programs focus on turning your life over to a higher power, and they can offer faith-based tools and coping methods for managing cravings and stress in an effort to minimize relapse.

 

Positive Reframing:

Positive thinking changes perspectives for the better. Even conflicts can have a silver lining. By finding it, you’ll gain a broader perspective of the world around you.

 

Humor:

While there is of course a time for seriousness, humor is considered a beneficial coping mechanism. Laughter can help people to see things in a lighter frame of mind. Plus, research shows it has short and long-term effects on your health—such as increasing endorphins and improving your immune system.

 

Problem Solving:

By identifying an issue as it arises, you can better learn how to handle it and not be overwhelmed.

 

Creative expression:

Creative outlets can provide a way to express oneself in a healthy manner. Dance, painting, sculpting, drawing, writing, playing a musical instrument or composing are all activities that can help someone struggling with addiction. Journaling in particular can expel negative thoughts and provide a record of progress.

 

Supportive Friends:

Talk it out, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Healthy communication can be a great outlet for releasing stress. Seek out people in your life—such as friends, family members, support groups, therapists—that you can talk to regularly and lean on.

 

Giving Back:

Volunteering for a charity and getting behind a cause you believe in can reverse negative emotions and channel that energy in a positive way to help others.

 

Taken from https://americanaddictioncente...

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