5 Opioid Refusal Strategies

Opioids are powerful pain-relieving substances that quickly create physical dependence. Therefore, professional treatment is needed to help you safely break free from opioid addiction. Attending a drug rehab for opioids is a trusted option in ensuring a successful recovery. 

Bayview Recovery is Washington’s premier drug rehab, specializing in restoring hope and building better lives. Moreover, our comprehensive treatment programs are helping countless people overcome opioid addiction. Bayview’s compassionate staff use proven treatment methods for helping people restore their lives. Refusal skills are one example of our program working after treatment. Our continuum of care is designed to help people in recovery achieve a better life by providing excellent care. Therefore, you should call 855.478.3650 to get started.

5 Opioid Refusal Strategies

1. Quickly say “NO” in a clear and firm voice

Saying no is an effective approach when you’re facing friendly or teasing pressure. Having a history of abusing substances means that it takes courage to refuse them. Empowering yourself to say no is important. Additionally, reinforcing the importance of why you are living sober is helpful when refusing. Although simply saying no is an obvious refusal strategy, it represents just one part of your commitment to recovery.

2. Give a reason, fact, or excuse

Getting away from the person or situation as quickly as possible is crucial. Practicing a response for not indulging can help you sound confident when a situation suddenly occurs. Acting quickly is crucial. Any lack of projected confidence on your part can cause you to give in to a lack of judgment. 

3. Walk away

Ignoring the situation altogether can be a great relief. In fact, you don’t owe an explanation to anyone. Your recovery is dependent on your personal growth and any situation threatening your recovery is dangerous. Falling back into old habits and routines simply because you felt obligated to is not going to work. Ignoring the person and walking away is one of the most effective refusal techniques. You can also:

• Avoid the situation
• Could shoulder or ignore
• Resist being with unhealthy people who make poor decisions
• Frequently remind yourself of your decision to get sober
• Respect yourself
• Meet new people

4. Change the subject

Quickly mentioning another activity is a refusal skill you can use effectively. Ignoring the drug offered by changing the subject helps redirect the energy of the conversation. You can act like you didn’t hear the offer at all as you move on to something else. The minute you begin involving yourself in an awkward situation, the more difficult it becomes to get out of it. 

5. Surround yourself with supportive friends

Friends who support your recovery will never put you in a situation that would jeopardize it. Additionally, if you are surrounding yourself with good friends who make smart decisions then you will too. If you are in a stressful situation, having a good friend with you can make a difference in how well you navigate it. You have the freedom to choose your friends, and choosing friends who care about your wellbeing is important. 

You can turn the situation around with humor or use repeated refusal. Whichever refusal strategy you use, continue reminding yourself of the freedom you have in recovery. The freedom to say no or to walk away are freedoms you didn’t have in addiction.

Opioid addiction controls every aspect of your life but recovery gave control back to you. Moreover, refusal skills are one way of proving all the positive changes that are happening in your life.

Learn More About Bayview Recovery in Washington

Don’t let opioids keep you a prisoner of your own life. You can break free today by enrolling in an opioid addiction treatment program at Bayview Recovery. In treatment, you’ll learn effective refusal strategies, refusal skills, identify stressors and triggers, and work closely with a therapist in replacing negative patterns with healthy ones.

Bayview Recovery’s opioid rehab also offers addiction therapy services for:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Trauma therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical therapy

Treatment and therapy services used together at drug rehab can increase the likelihood of lifelong recovery from opioid addiction. Our talented team is ready to help. Call our admissions specialist today at 855.478.3650.