6 Essential Tips For Recovering Addicts In India

Substance Abuse In India
An injecting drug user (IDU) fills a syringe with buprenorphine on a roadside in Chandigarh June 8, 2007. India’s injecting drug problem may be worse than thought, a new survey of the country’s breadbasket region shows, worrying health experts and activists who say it could fuel the spread of HIV and AIDS. Official data shows that over 10 percent of intravenous drug users have HIV, a higher prevalence than among prostitutes, while the overall national average is about 0.9 percent. Picture taken June 8, 2007. To match feature INDIA-DRUGS/AIDS REUTERS/Tanushree Punwani (INDIA)

As much as the person may think of battling through the complicated illness of addiction all alone, it has great chances to disarrange his or her life completely. Recovering from addiction is a complex process that requires a comprehensive approach. Apart from taking formal treatment, which is, indeed, an essential aspect of addiction recovery, taking care of personal requirements and specific needs is vital for combating substance abuse in India.

In India, with its population of over a billion, about 62.5 million use alcohol, about 8.75 million use cannabis, two million use opiates, and about 0.6 million use sedatives or hypnotics. Seventeen to 26% of those patients can be classified as dependent users needing urgent treatment, states the report. About 25% of users of opiates and cannabis are likely to seek treatment, while about one in six people who drink alcohol are likely to do so.

6 Key Consideration For Recovering Addicts In India

Addiction Treatment Programs In India
Addiction Treatment Programs In India

The person should however remain hopeful as recovery is still possible through proper willpower and appropriate support from a professional. Recovering addicts in India can use these six main pointers to help them chart their way along toward a healthy future.

1. Seek Expert Assistance

One of the imperatives in patient recovery, therapist-behaviorist treatment is available through all licensed addiction therapists and can include medication-assistance therapy and developing an individual plan, as well as continuous follow up care. Understand some of these options:

  • Inpatient treatment is about having 24 hours of bed care in a controlled environment
  • Outpatient treatment is on a more flexible side. This type of care is flexible and does not interfere with everyday obligations.
  • Detoxification involves supervised withdrawal from the substance.

2. Establish A Robust Support System

Recovering from addiction requires surrounds with people, environments, settings, and situations with someone positive. Connect with friends and family or join such support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They offer a secure environment to exchange experiences and get support toward either person.

Apart from this, In India, Annual Action Plan, ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, was developed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for 272 identified districts that are the most vulnerable in terms of usage of drugs. Nasha mukt abhiyan aims at training responsible young populace to cause greater participation of the community and the public in decreasing the demand for dependence-producing substances and to orient joint initiatives among those vulnerable individuals and groups to prevent the use of drugs in the first place.

3. Personal Care

Recovering From Addiction
Recovering From Addiction

Being in touch with yourself becomes one of the most important pillars for sobriety. Recovering addicts in India are advised to participate in activities that enhance mental well-being and improve your body. For example:

  • Exercise Regularly: Exercise alleviates stress, improves mood, and revamps life.
  • Healthy Diet: Nurturing a balanced diet amplifies rehabilitative health and wellbeing.
  • Sleep well: Sleep enough to maintain moderation in effect along with cognitive functioning.

Mindfulness Techniques: Engage in activities that promote mindfulness, such as yoga or meditation, as they help one to deal with anxiety and stress. Several addiction treatment programs in India incorporate such activities in their routines.

4. Stay Away From High-Risk Situations and Triggers

Triggers serve as a way to avoid relapsing by avoiding those that come from people, places, or situations originally linked to drug use. Social interactions and high-risk environments should be subject to restriction to prevent drug use.

5. Construct Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Learning excellent coping skills is important to manage cravings, stress, and anxiety. The following tactics have proven successful:

  • Keeping a Journal: Writing emotions helps provide clarity and relief.
  • Hobbies: These can keep one busy and create a sense of significance, hence acting as a diversion from temptations.
  • Time Spent in Nature: It is well known that spending time in nature brightens the mood and boosts one’s ability to cope with stress. 
  • Reach out to others: Having a conversation with a therapist or counselor will enable you to develop healthy coping strategies that can further your healing journey.

6. Engage A Sobriety Lifestyle

Recovering Addicts
Recovering Addicts

When you really want to lie low, you will find it quite difficult to lead a life that is satisfying without external aids. Some of the things are as follows: 

  • Write Down Goals: It is good to set some goals in the short range and some that are long-range so as to keep the motivation alive.
  • Explore New Hobbies: Search and explore subjects and new interests that can enrich your life.
  • Volunteer: Connect with people who are feeling pretty lost and purposeless, and encourage them to make things better. 
  • Celebrate Important Milestones: And of it, however small your achievement might be, talk about them and let the excitement flow through you by having some fun. 

Recovery is an ongoing process; not a state one has achieved. To allow for amazing self-neglects, recovering addicts in India are advised to ask for help when it is necessary. And using such ideas, being committed towards recovery, can create a sober and happy life.

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