Introduction to Substance Abuse Journal #4

The abstinence experience has affected my attitude towards people who are suffering from drug abuse. I now understand why they face the challenges they do and why sometimes it has proved difficult to stop using the drug. The withdrawals symptoms can make one go back to the drugs if they are not careful. I have stopped judging those on drugs and who are struggling to come out of their situations. The people with the same activity as me believe that if they put more effort, they can break out of their addictions. For people with different addictions, I have stopped taking them as irresponsible people who only think about their happiness without considering others, and I understand that maybe they were pushed by situations to using the substances. They are now struggling to stop using them. I believe that people are addicted due to biopsychosocial issues like stress or friends or easy accessibility of the drugs. 

I managed to reach total abstinence as I had the intention of living a clean and healthy life. I have had the struggles of coming out of the drug addictions, and all I hoped for was a changed life. The abstinence experience has been of benefit to my addiction journey as I am now a better person. There are several addiction prevention strategies I used that helped me with coping with the addiction. I ensured to talk to a therapist, and they helped me cope with the overwhelming emotions that come after the abstinence. 

Getting involved with activities that I love was a great preventive strategy. I love writing short stories, and this helped me to forget about the drugs, and I was able to take a day at a time and slowly forget about the drugs. Practicing self-care was essential for my full recovery. I ensured to pray and meditate, and I also ensured to eat nutritious diets and constant exercise. These were the best preventive strategies that I used, and I also plan to use them in the future for all my activities. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424859/