Drinking and Drugging in NYC

Let’s get real, addiction recovery is challenging just about anywhere. But getting and staying sober in New York City might just be like playing the game on HARD. Yeah, it’s a cliche, but it’s true. This city does not sleep. Three of the joints on The World’s 50 Best Bars list are found here (Katana Kitten, Dante, and Attaboy, if you must know). No matter what drug you want or what time of day or night it is, in New York City, you will find it – or it will find you.

Whether you find yourself in an East Village bar sucking back artisanal concoctions or vibing in a Hell’s Kitchen nightclub, NYC nightlife has a way of sinking its teeth into you. And, if you’re not careful, it will drain your life force like a vampire and leave you an empty husk on the sidewalk. The truth is that addiction is the most cunning enemy you will ever face. It can con you into anything. It will walk you right up to the gates of Hell and convince you you’re in Heaven. 

A Labyrinth of Lasciviousness and Addictive Excess

Manhattan nightlife has this manic, frenetic energy that can seem like a drug itself. You won’t find anything quite like it anywhere else on earth. This madness is fueled by a never-ending flow of ultra-premium vodka, pharmaceutical-grade cocaine, and just about any other tantalizing, mind-altering substance or experience known to humankind. 

Manhattan alone has over 13,000 bars and nightclubs. That’s thirteen THOUSAND places to initiate a regrettable one-night stand or make a dozen other bad decisions. 

Make no mistake, we are not trying to glamorize alcohol and drug addiction in Manhattan or NYC. It’s very much the opposite. We are acknowledging the formidable challenge of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction in NYC. Getting sober and staying sober in New York City can be tougher than a $2 steak. But it’s not impossible. Especially when you have a bit of courage, genuine willingness, and the NYC addiction recovery resources you need.

Being Addicted to Alcohol or Drugs in New York City

For some of us, there’s no such thing as “being careful” when it comes to drugs or alcohol. A certain percentage of the population of NYC and every other city has lost the ability to drink and drug like a gentleperson. Maybe some of us never really had control over our drinking or drug use to begin with. The rub is, that not all of us have fully realized the depth and scope of our substance use disorders yet. 

If this is ringing any bells, this article is for you, so keep reading. 

Most people with a drug or alcohol addiction spend a lot of time on the fence before they ask for help or check themselves in for addiction treatment in NYC or nearby. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol addiction seems to be one of those conditions that many need to suffer from for a while before they ask for substance abuse help. 

Recovery is Real and You Can Overcome Addiction in NYC

NYC has about 8.6 million souls. We know at least 6% of the population is living with an addiction to alcohol or drugs (or both). That means there’s a minimum of 500,000 people who have some idea of how you feel. We think that’s likely a lowball estimate. After all, the NYC drug and drinking scene is wilder than most, and how many people readily admit to being addicted to drugs and alcohol when some random surveyor calls them on the phone, right? 

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you “pre-game” and drink or use before you go out to drink and use some more?
• Is finding a drink or a drug your first response to upsetting news or strong emotions?
• Have you refused to go somewhere because drugs or alcohol wouldn’t be available?
• Are there hobbies or sports you have given up due to drugs or alcohol?
• Tried to reduce or stop your drinking/drug use more than once without success?
• Are you late/absent from work more than once or twice a year due to alcohol or drugs?
• Do others express concern about the amount you are drinking and/or using?
• Have you continued to drink and use drugs in spite of serious consequences?

If you find yourself saying “yes” to one or more of the above questions, that’s a pretty good indication you may have a substance use disorder. What you should know is this: If you are struggling with alcohol or drugs in NYC, you aren’t alone. There’s a way out of the cycle of madness you find yourself in. Believe it. 

Help for Alcohol and Drug Addiction for People in NYC

The first step in overcoming a substance use disorder is admitting there’s a problem in the first place. The fact you’re reading this article is a good sign that you’re aware there is a problem. The next step is getting the help you need. Forget trying to rely on willpower and grit alone to control your drinking or drugging. It doesn’t work. At least part of you already knows this.

A safe, comfortable medical detox followed by a sound partial care program can get you through the toughest part of recovery and give you the tools you need to live the kind of life you really want. You know you’re falling short of your potential. Disappointing or even frightening the people who care about you most. Stop. Change directions and your life could look completely different in just a few months.

Living in Recovery from Addiction in NYC

Once you’ve had addiction treatment NYC is going to look a lot different to you. No, the 13,000 Manhattan night spots aren’t going to disappear. But, you will have deleted those certain contacts from your phone and you will be armed with the facts about addiction. More than that, you will have powerful tools for overcoming cravings. 

You will understand your triggers and know how to short-circuit them. Most importantly, you will begin to realize that what you have to gain is worth so much more than anything you “lose” by leaving drugs and alcohol behind. That’s not just some empty platitude. It’s the truth. 

Another thing you will discover is that the support for addiction in NYC is some of the best in the world. Why wouldn’t it be? This city has the best of everything else. There are excellent 12-step meetings and alternatives to 12-step groups around the clock in Manhattan and other parts of the city. You will never be alone with your addiction in NYC unless you want to be. 

Help For Staying Sober in New York City

We’re not going to mince words here. Escaping the madness of alcohol and drug addiction isn’t easy. But the way out for you or your loved one is closer than you probably think. Beating drugs and alcohol doesn’t take muscle so much as it takes brains. But it’s not about outsmarting your addiction. What you actually need to do is get out of your own way. 

Become willing to follow directions and not run the show for a while. This can be hard for many people, but it really is the key to escape this prison of addiction you find yourself in. We can show you exactly how to do it. 

North Jersey Recovery Center has helped thousands of people just like you recover from addiction and heal from co-occurring mental health disorders. 

We’d like to help you or your loved one too. But you have to make the first move. Call us now at (877) 632-5541 or submit your information here to see how we can help.