Learning how to manage impulses encourages healthy lifestyle habits. Learning about people's capacity for impulse control within substance use disorders can help you manage impulses. If you struggle with substance use, finding techniques and coping methods for impulse control help you lead a healthier lifestyle and ultimately lead to long-term sobriety.
Many individuals in society struggle with impulse control. Control is a skill learned over time, starting in childhood and improving over the years. When substance abuse is part of the picture, impulse control can be more difficult.
Scientists have studied behavioral issues and found that, without quality intervention, poor impulse control can get out of hand. Many children and adults struggle with impulse control because of various behavioral issues. If lack of impulse control does not get professional intervention or proper guidance, it can worsen over time, causing individuals to engage in risky behaviors like substance use.
Those who struggle with substance use may not have had the proper guidance to help them control their impulses early in life. Research shows that, through positive reinforcement and careful guidance, impulse control can be re-learned so those struggling can develop healthy executive functioning. This is especially pertinent in addiction recovery for managing and avoiding giving into cravings.
Being a family member or friend of someone who struggles with substance use can be difficult. They may not know how to help their loved ones effectively because they don't understand what they are going through or how substance use has affected their brain function. People struggling with substance use may feel they’re not supported or listened to in a meaningful way.
This can be especially frustrating when loved ones who don't have substance use issues and have healthy, rational decision-making minds get upset when the one struggling lets their impulses get the better of them. Friends and family of people who are addicted must understand that getting sober is not simply a matter of deciding to stop. It takes the hard work of recovery specialists teaching people in recovery how to manage impulses for a better, sober future.
Substance use interferes with logical reasoning and can impede decision-making skills and impulse control. The brain simply doesn't function correctly when one subjects it to chemical alterations. Loved ones may have a hard time understanding this and can think that the person with substance addiction has something against them, and that's why they continue to use or drink, but this is not true.
Getting the support of loved ones is essential to help people battle substance use, and there are ways to do it that can best meet their needs. For example, accusing or blaming the one struggling doesn't help, as they are frequently not in full control of these impulses. This happens because of the chemical changes inside the brain from substance use.
Though recovery from substance use disorder is a life-long battle, it can be achieved through professional guidance at an addiction treatment facility. Treatment plans are tailored to the specific individual using a variety of modalities to achieve healing.
Effective impulse control techniques teach individuals to recognize impulsive thoughts and take steps to mitigate them and make better choices. When individuals who have substance use issues implement this into their life, they can begin to heal from addiction and begin to rebuild damaged relationships with their loved ones. The practice of thinking before one acts can be carried into all aspects of life, not just addiction recovery.
When individuals struggle with substance use, managing their impulses is a massive challenge, especially if they've been a long-time user; however, with the right tools, support, and direction, people can learn how to recognize impulsive thoughts, determine alternatives to giving in to temptation, and make the right choices. This becomes easier the more practice one has and the more times they are successful with impulse control.
Friends and family members have an important role to play in aiding their loved ones through addiction recovery. Learning to manage impulses and modeling good control can be a good first step toward helping loved ones overcome substance use.
The capacity for managing impulses is a learned skill. Friends and family members can learn to manage their lifestyle choices to support their loved ones who struggle with substance use. When loved ones are consistent and provide structural guidance, they can reduce chaos and impulsive behavior. The person in recovery will see the behavioral change and wonder how their loved ones manage their impulses, leading to open lines of communication and lifestyle changes.
At NorthStar Transitions, we understand how difficult it can be to see your loved one give into bad impulses. We can help you learn how to be an active and positive influence in the life of a loved one in recovery. We offer family counseling to help you understand how to be the best support for someone going through addiction treatment. We encourage you and your loved one to find the right support system with professional guidance and learn as much as you can about substance use for the best chance at sustained recovery. In addition, NorthStar Transitions will teach you how to best address impulses and triggers when your loved one is ready to come home and put their new skills to the test. Reach out to us today to learn how you can best support your loved one struggling with substance use. Call NorthStar Recovery at (303) 558-6400.
