Getting sober and clean is not easy. You have to survive the withdrawal syndrome and regularly fight cravings. But making a fresh start in life can be even a harder part. Returning to work, taking up new responsibilities, and getting back to a normal lifestyle after long-term substance abuse can be compared to coming out of the cave.
A process of transition requires a person to take several steps and make changes and resolutions. But how can you motivate yourself to succeed in recovery? We’ve compiled a list of ten tips that can help you to fundamentally change your life after rehab.
Table of Contents
Take it one day at a time.
Recovery is an ongoing process. And you’d better learn to trust this process. You may not experience all the benefits of sobriety at the very beginning. They come to patient people who constantly work on themselves.
For some, waiting is discouraging. If you feel upset and unmotivated, an addiction helpline in Arkansas can help you. The operators are ready to discuss every problem that weighs on you and answer every question related to maintaining sobriety.
Make up for the damage.
When people quit substance abuse and take a sober look at their past, they see many things that cause feelings of guilt, shame, and regret. This can contribute to relapse as they may not know yet how to deal with negative feelings without alcohol or drugs.
If the triggers are too strong, don’t refuse to get help. Dial a drug information hotlines Arkansas. You will hear the words of support and feel understood. Also, drug information hotlines Arkansas can provide the contacts of professionals or organizations that can help you.
Fulfill the expectations.
Have a sincere talk with your family. Ask them what they expect from you. You surely want to become a functioning member of the family. And since there was some time of your malfunction, you need to reestablish the roles and set up realistic expectations in relationships with the closest people.
The most important thing after this is actually to behave in a way that will satisfy their expectations. And this behavior includes maintaining sobriety.
Spend time with sober friends.
A person can learn to live without alcohol only in a circle of sober people. At the stage of early recovery, it’s vital to stop hanging out with drinking buddies. Also, don’t visit parties, concerts, or other events where people will drink or take drugs, at least in the first 90 days of sobriety. And if you go there, have a sober companion that won’t tempt you to relapse.
Eat well.
If you have spent years drinking or taking drugs, you probably didn’t get the best nutrition during that time. Now, you may want to improve your physical state.
People often understand a healthy diet as strict limitations, taboo on the favorite foods, and unrealistically thin body figure. But it’s rather about feeling cheerful, boosting the mood, and improving health.
If you can’t completely eliminate junk food, sugar, and unhealthy fats then simply reduce their consumption. Switch to a healthy diet by taking a number of manageable healthy choices, for example, eating a salad once a day. As a small change develops into a habit, you can add another one.
Start exercising.
Exercise has a whole bunch of benefits for a recovering addict. Physical activity boosts cardiovascular health that might have been damaged due to substance abuse. It helps to get a good night’s sleep. You will notice an increase in your energy levels very soon.
Regular exercise helps chronic depression due to the release of serotonin. It lifts mood as the level of endorphins increases.
If you’re feeling lonely, going to the gym will allow getting out and being with people. And remember that you can always take advantage of drug addiction treatment in San Diego resources if you are in the Bay area.
Get good sleep.
When you get high-quality sleep, you feel more energetic throughout the day. In the case of insomnia, do some exercises before going to bed. As it was mentioned in the previous point, it can eliminate the problems with sleep.
Having a good rest at night is important for those maintaining recovery as it increases energy, focus, and mood. It helps a person make positive choices and avoid relapse.
Get involved in new activities.
Now when your life doesn’t revolve around killing substances, you may have time, energy, and wish to pursue new interests. Finding a hobby or an activity that really excites you will learn you enjoy life beyond booze or pot.
Another benefit of having a hobby, be it painting, sewing, reading, or playing a sports game, is an opportunity to distract your mind from triggering thoughts. Keep your body and mind busy with something productive and engaging.
Learn more about preventing relapse.
Knowledge is power. You may already know many techniques to cope with triggers. Sooner or later, you will face a tempting situation. So, you need to be prepared. Try to find a formula that works for you.
Call an addiction hotline free in Arkansas and find out whether there are meeting like AA or SMART Recovery near your place. And read motivational books.
Find and pursue your goals.
Of course, staying sober/clean is a top priority. But setting up other goals (like returning to school or changing a career) and working towards them can help you maintain freedom from mind-altering substances.
You cannot go back in time and change the past. But the future is still in your hands. Take your time and think about what you really want. Your goals may relate to personal relationships, career, lifestyle, finances, or personal development.
These 10 tips can help lead a sober life. But if you immediately take up all of the tasks, you might fail. Decide what you need most. Do you worry about broken relationships? Try to fix them at first. Do you want to improve your health? Start exercising and eating properly. Don’t you know how to spend your free time? Explore your talents.
The goal of this article is not to overload you with developing new habits. We want to show you how a recovering person can enjoy life without any harmful substances. Abstinence is not torture. It’s a strict imperative, a restriction, a norm, but what is more important, it’s something that leads you to happiness and freedom.