For recovering addicts, the road to healing isn’t straight, nor is it easy. More often than not we find the real struggle begins when we try to return to our daily lives free of addiction and substance abuse.
As we walk the path to recovery, we’ll encounter road bumps, temptations, struggles, and setbacks. These are the moments where it’s crucial to remember what you’ve learned up to this point and tap into the resources you need.
9 Tried and True Tips for Recovering Addicts
Below you’ll discover 9 recovery tips to help you continue your life of sobriety after rehabilitation.
1. Sobriety is a Lifestyle Change
You underwent rehabilitation to sober up and get on track for a life of sobriety. However, that road will be extremely short if you don’t change the lifestyle that led you to addiction.
You can’t go back to the same routine you had before. Old habits, old haunts, and old temptations have got to go.
Detach yourself from everything that facilitated your addictive lifestyle. This may mean changing your environment, your friends, your job, and more.
However, the reward is worth the price. Don’t set yourself up for failure by going back to your old life. Move forward by rooting yourself in an environment that fosters your sobriety.
2. Beware of Addictive Behavior
There are times when we think we’ve kicked the habit only to discover that we substituted one addiction for another.
Even if you trade smoking for e-cigarettes or alcohol for shopping, you haven’t recovered. Even if the trade-off seems healthier, no addiction is a “good” addiction.
The key to lasting recovery is to realize the signs of addicted behavior and to break the cycle.
3. Know Your Triggers
Whether you’re 10 days or 10 years into your sobriety, there is always a chance that you may give into temptation. Avoid placing yourself in a situation where you may relapse by knowing what your triggers are and having a plan of action on how to curb them.
Sometimes we cannot handle our triggers on our own, and that’s okay. This is where a therapist, accountability partner, confidant, or support group can step in and help.
Which leads us to our next tip…
4. Assemble a Support Group
From anonymous meetings and official support groups to family and friends, make sure you have a strong network of people you trust to help you through the hard stuff.
Make it a point to have people hold you accountable, and foster relationships with people you can confide in who are good influences.
There are also many resources available like this recovery center that can help you create a strong support network.
For moments where you feel alone, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call a hotline or a chat service trained and certified in crisis response. There is no shame in asking for help.
If anything, reaching out is an act of courage. Be brave.
5. Make Recovery Your Number One Priority
It’s okay to put yourself first. In fact, during recovery, it is practically a necessity.
Don’t put off what you need or put yourself on the back burner for the sake of other people. Connect and stay connected with your licensed counselor or therapist.ย If you need help don’t be afraid to contact one of the many Treatment Management Behavioral Centers.
Make your recovery your top priority and never let people pull you away from it or make you compromise on your path to healing. Follow every step of your recovery process and avoid distractions that pull you away from your goal.
6. Remove Toxic Influences
Toxic relationships are some of the most common causes for relapse. From bad relationships to risky temptations, cut out the things that drag you down. If certain people cause you to encounter triggers, cut them out–even if they’re your family or close friends.
If you are ever in doubt as to whether a relationship in your life is healthy or toxic, talk about it to your therapist or within your support group. Gaining insight from credible outside perspectives can help you make the right decisions.
7. Focus On Your Health
Your physical and mental health both play a significant role in the success of your recovery. There will be times when life feels overwhelming, but don’t sacrifice your health because of it.
Pay attention to your regular exercise routine, your eating habits, and your sleeping patterns. Make sure that you are remaining active, eating well, and getting enough sleep each night.
If you find yourself stressing a lot, consider meditation.
These things go a long way in giving you the strength and mental fortitude to handle the ups and downs of your recovery.
8. Remember to Takes Things One Day at a Time
Recovery is a process, and that process looks more like a marathon than a sprint. Pace yourself. Take things one day at a time.
Celebrate the little successes, and keep encouraging yourself with every milestone. You aren’t rushing to the finish line in this journey. Most likely, you will be walking this road for the rest of your life, so don’t pressure yourself for not being as far along as you hope or want to be.
Instead, be kind to yourself and take it one step at a time.
9. Never, Ever Give up
If you stumble in this journey, don’t beat yourself up for it. Realize a misstep doesn’t mean you have to start over at the very beginning.
If you trip and fall while running and skin your knee, you get up and you keep going. Life is the same way.
If you falter in your journey, pick yourself up and keep moving forward.ย If you need help don’t be afraid to callย Arizona Drug Rehab to see if they are a fit.
Remaining on the Path to Better Health
For recovering addicts the road to healing is ever-constant. You will walk this path for the rest of your life, but know that’s okay.
Healthy living is a daily journey for everyone, and we’re constantly learning. If you want to keep expanding your knowledge and gaining tips on how to lead a healthier life, be sure to check out the health section of our blog.
We have several articles to keep you inspired while guiding you toward a better lifestyle.
