The road to recovering from an addiction is not going to be easy. There will be temptations, challenges, and struggles along the way. But anyone who is set towards full recovery and living a new and improved lifestyle can do it.
The challenges usually come to shore after undergoing addiction treatment. Going back home and seeing the old company again can spark temptations to relapse. But to stay on the right path, here are some rules of recovery that can help.
Rule #1. Create a new life for yourself
Going back to your old lifestyle makes it easy to re-do bad habits and re-make the wrong decisions. Recovery is not as simple as just stopping. It requires adapting to a new lifestyle where substances are no longer accessible nor desired.
The first thing you have to do is to avoid risky situations. That means cutting off common triggers like old friends who encourage substance abuse, places that sparked negative behaviors, and things that remind you of your old habits. It’s going to be challenging to avoid these common triggers completely. But the least you can do is to be aware of them so that you’re not caught off guard. Keep your self-control in check and avoid placing yourself in high-risk situations.
Rule #2. Seek support and guidance
Recovery is hard, especially for those taking on it alone. There are times when someone in recovery will start wondering whether they are on the right path or not. The burden can always get lighter if someone is helping you carry it.
Create a recovery circle composed of family, friends, recovery groups, and mentors. Having these people to support you and encourage you will go a long way towards motivating you to reach full recovery.
Rule #3. Be honest to yourself and your recovery circle
A common tendency of recovering individuals is to deny what they are feeling. Often, they want to portray a sense of strength throughout the process. But instead of bottling up all those thoughts of relapsing, share them with your recovery circle. Acknowledge your struggles and emotions. Bringing them out in the open will help you conquer them.
Rule #4. Look for a better outlet
The road to recovery will involve a lot of bumps and temptation. What you need to do is to keep your mind away from thoughts of using. Hobbies are a crucial part of the recovery process. So keep yourself occupied with a hobby or self-care activity. If you feel lonely or anxious, watch your favorite TV show or read your favorite book. Develop a new interest that will help you conquer negative emotions.
Rule #5. Believe in yourself
Last but not least, you need to believe in yourself. Many people who are trying to recover from addiction often doubt themselves. Society will tempt and discourage you, but you have to stay head and heart strong. Recovery is not a destination, but it’s a journey. Believe that you can conquer it, and you can lead your life towards a brighter tomorrow.
Contrary to popular belief, recovery is not about making one big change in your life. It involves a series of actions. You make tiny changes to your behavior, lifestyle, and perspective, and all these come together to bring you closer to full recovery.
