Making the Decision to Quit Using Drugs and Alcohol

Making a decision sounds simple, but when someone decides upon an action, it can help make that action easier to carry out. The same is true with getting sober - and staying that way. Once you make a decision to get help for substance abuse and/or addiction, actually making a phone call may not be as intimidating.
In fact, no matter what area of life in which a person needs to make a decision, there are seven steps to the process of decision-making. The following lists those steps, which can be applied to deciding whether to quit using drugs or alcohol:

1. Identify the decision to be made. You might realize that you need to stop using substances. And you might recognize that there is a problem. However, you may need to identify the nature of the decision you need to make. Clearly defining the decision to make is one of the most important steps in this process. For those with a serious addiction, the decision might be putting an end to the substance use and getting the appropriate help.
2. Gather information. Once you make a decision, you may need to gather all information relevant to quitting or continuing to use drugs or alcohol. The challenging part of this process is knowing where to get the right information so that your physical and psychological well being is supported. For instance, you might look online and read inaccurate information about addiction. It's necessary to gather information from sources you can trust about seeking help for the illness of addiction. You might gather information on the illness itself, how you developed it, and the types of treatment methods.
3. Identify the alternatives. If you've made the decision to quit, alternatives to investigate might be the various treatment options available in your neighborhood. Perhaps you are willing to travel for the right treatment. Also, while identifying the alternatives, it's important to keep in mind your unique needs, such as financial limitations, health concerns, and family responsibilities.
4. Weigh the evidence. In this step, you may need to draw upon your emotions and the information you've gathered to help determine your next step. For instance, you might need to weigh the benefits of going to a residential treatment center versus the benefits of only attending 12-step meetings as a means for treatment.
5. Choose from the alternatives. Once you've explored each alternative using the information you've gathered and your emotional responses, you might be ready to choose the treatment option that is best for you. For instance, treatment that meets all of your unique needs, provides high quality service, remains within your budget may be the treatment alternative to choose.
6. Take action. Once you've weighed all your options and you've made a choice, it's time to make a phone call and schedule the start of your treatment for addiction.
7. Review the decision. Once you're in treatment you may need to assess whether the course you've chosen is meeting your needs.

It's common to experience ambivalence or doubt throughout this decision making process. However, the more clear you can become about the need to get sober, the more likely you will stay that way during and long after addiction treatment.