Look at you! You’ve come so far and we’re super proud of you. Beating an addiction isn’t easy, and is one of the greatest hurdles a person can overcome.
All of that said, and as many folk in recovery will attest; the hard work starts here. When you’re recovering from an addiction, it is essential to have a support system in place and mechanisms at the ready, to guide you through times of temptation and turbulence, ensuring you come out the other side still clean.
With the help of friends, family members and professionals, you can stay upright, even after a wobble. To help make recovery work in the long term, here are 7 important steps.
Be Positive
It’s only natural that you will have ups and downs aplenty as you endeavour to overcome your addiction.
However, by staying positive and adopting forward-thinking habits, you’ll give yourself the best tools available in fighting what is, in essence, a disease. Indeed, research shows that those who adopt an optimistic mindset find it easier to lead a healthy lifestyle, and are better at problem solving.
A positive outlook is one thing, but adopting positive habits is essential, too. These might include going on an extended digital detox from social media (whilst keeping communication channels open to your support network, of course) all the way to starting a gratitude journal. Check out a breakdown of five of these positive habits ideal for developing resilience here.
Work Closely With Your Doctor
Just because you’ve cleared a major obstacle in your process of addiction recovery, doesn’t mean that all contact with health professionals should cease. Instead, it is vital to work closely with your GP or local drug service as you negotiate the long road of recovery.
A registered healthcare professional can help make staying on track easier by monitoring your progress and helping to keep you on track. Your doctor may well prescribe medication that will assist in the recovery process, as well as refer you on to specialists in your particular addiction, as well as facilitating your access to free talking therapies via the NHS.
Ensure to tell your medical practitioner about any other medications you are taking to know if there might be drug interactions.
Consider Joining A Support Group
You shouldn’t have to do this thing alone, whether it’s alcohol, gambling or even cymbalta addiction. Even though you might feel like going it solo as you recover from addiction, this is very rarely the best approach. Instead, try to have other people in your life support your efforts to stay sober and provide encouragement to you when things get tough.
If nobody in your life understands what you are going through, then consider joining a support group so that you can connect with others in a similar situation.
There are several different types of support groups that you might want to consider joining. These include 12-step programs, faith-based groups, and SMART recovery meetings. Each type of group offers something unique that can benefit your recovery process.
Although no one is forcing you to join a support group, it is recommended that you do so if at all possible. When people work through an addiction, they need extra support from others fighting the same battle.
Joining a positive support group will help you remain sober and give you the added benefit of having mentors who have already been there before. Indeed, research carried out by the Tracy and Wallace (2016) in their study Substance Abuse Rehabilitation reported peer support groups add value to treatment plans, potentially leading to successful outcomes for patients.
Set Some Goals
Addiction can be so all-consuming, that once you’re taking tentative steps on that road to recovery, finding a new focus in life can feel overwhelming.
More time, more money, hopefully more drive… But where to use up all that newfound energy? Now is the time to gradually, sustainably reconceptualise your sober life by establishing some new goals to work toward.
These needn’t be goals which imbue your life with undue stress, as this might negatively impact your process of recovery. Instead, keep things small and manageable at first; joining a gym and getting fit, eating an increasingly healthy diet, investing a small amount of money in a new project… Anything which gives you a sense of purpose and something to work toward is ideal.
Don’t Make Any Big Decisions For A While
It is often difficult for people just coming out of an addiction to make big decisions with the necessary clarity of thought. It is essential to take your time to fully embrace the mechanisms and methods of recovery, and not tackle any major life decisions until you’ve built up some confidence and resilience. If something comes up where a major decision does have to be made, consult with a trusted friend or family member to help you make the right call.
Read: 5 ways that you can take control of your life in the new year
Get Plenty Of Sleep & Exercise Daily
It’s often reported that getting plenty of sleep and exercising daily are the two most important positive steps we can take for our health, both physical and mental. But more than that, regular, quality sleep and exercise have a pronounced, profound effect on the likelihood of a relapse, too.
Indeed, in a fascinating insight discussed on WebMd, it’s suggested that for some addicts, regular exercise could serve as an effective stand-in for addictive substances, as both activate your reward pathway, stimulating the release of serotonin and dopamine, the so-called ‘feel good’ chemicals. Interesting stuff, and indicative of just how important exercise is to those on the road to recovery.
On top of that, 2010 research has linked sleep disturbances to the risk of relapse. Accordingly, it’s vital that you focus on both the quality and quantity of your sleep if you’re in the process of recovery.
Check out these smart ways to make your sleep deeper and more restful to help with that.
Daily Wellbeing Exercises
Of course, alongside physical exercise, there are also daily wellbeing exercises that you can try to help you develop a more positive, resilient state of mind. These include:
- Observing regular mindful moments, whether that’s a devoted daily slot set aside for meditation, or a more free-form, fluid appreciation of ‘the moment’.
- Having strict, predictable wake-up rituals and bedtime routines in place, to ensure you’re leading life in the disciplined manner necessary for successful ongoing recovery.
- Taking life (and your vices) one step and one day at a time
- Using CBT or an ABC worksheet to reframe how you think about your challenges
- Regularly noticing and expressing your gratitude
The Bottom Line
Recovering has no finish line. Rather, it’s an ongoing process, with peaks and troughs, bumps in the road and obstacles to overcome. We hope you’ve found some useful tools above to help you in your journey.
*The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.*