After you have gone through treatment, it is urgent to talk with your doctor

After you have been in treatment for benzodiazepine abuse, you need to take into consideration some of the unique circumstances surrounding addiction to this medication. There are many different drugs classified as benzodiazepines, which are sometimes called benzos. This form of medication is known as a tranquilizer and some common forms include: Klonopin, Xanax, Vicodin and Ativan. These are also some of the most commonly prescribed medications. Leaving rehab can be a scary time, but know you can do it. You can live with a clear mind again. Here are some important things to consider after you have left rehab:

Talk to Your Doctor

After you have gone through treatment, it is urgent to talk with your doctor. Communicate how you feel and any symptoms you are having. You will likely experience some varying degrees of withdrawal from the use of benzodiazepines. In many cases, it is normal to have to taper down on use instead of stopping “cold turkey.” Some common withdrawal symptoms include: nausea, dizziness, twitches, chills, profuse sweating, spasms and tremors. In some cases, the withdrawal from extended use of benzodiazepines can be life threatening. So talk to your doctor and communicate openly about how you feel.

Learn About the Withdrawal Process

Normally, the withdrawal process is managed by slowly reducing the dosage and transferring the patient from a slow acting to a long acting form of the drug. Still, full resolution of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome can take up to six months or even longer.

In some cases, the physiological dependence on benzodiazepines is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome. This often includes poor sleep patterns, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, shaking hands, profuse sweating, difficulty thinking clearly, extreme nausea, some weight loss, palpitations, headache, muscular pain and stiffness and a host of perceptual changes. Other cases have reported more serious developments such as seizures and psychotic reactions. Some of these withdrawal symptoms will be more extreme depending on your chemical makeup, your genetics and other factors. For example, a panic attack can include pain in your chest, trouble breathing and other symptoms that may make you think you are having a heart attack. Do not hesitate to go to your doctor to get appropriate treatment and/or medical attention.

If your current doctor is the one who prescribed you a benzodiazepine, ask for an alternative form of treatment. Also be sure to let your doctor know you are in treatment from substance abuse related to benzos. Some forms of alternative treatment include: yoga, meditation, exercise, diet, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, creative therapy and more. If your doctor will not consider any other forms of treatment for you, ask why that is the case and consider getting a second opinion if needed.

In some cases, you may even face three rounds of withdrawal from using benzodiazepines. Withdrawal from normal dosage benzodiazepine treatment can result in a number of symptomatic patterns. The most common stage is experiencing anxiety and insomnia within between one to four days of stopping use. The second pattern of withdrawal usually lasts one to two weeks. Finally, a third pattern may represent the return of anxiety symptoms, which then persist until some form of treatment is instituted. Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines can occur following prolonged treatment with therapeutic doses, but it is not definitive how many patients experience a withdrawal syndrome.

Use Your Support Network

As you are now living a sober life it is essential to have a support network to help you stay clean. This means having supportive friends, family and loved ones with you in the recovery process. You must communicate with them and not isolate yourself or you will face more challenges. If you are lonely, this can quickly lead to depression. You must use your support network or in some ways you don’t really have one. Consider going to a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous where you can connect with and share stories with others who feel just like you do. If this sounds a little scary, get one of your friends to go with you to an open meeting—that is a meeting open to everyone. Not all meetings are the same. Many churches have support groups for addiction as well. There are many different ways to connect—don’t hesitate to get the help you need.

Get Professional Help

One of the most important parts of any support network is to have a good therapist. This is an individual who has years of training in addiction to help you grow and get healthy again. In most cases, you will participate in talk therapy where you just talk about how you are feeling and what is going on in your life. It has been proven to be very helpful and healing. Once you get professional help you will start to see what some of your triggers are for your addiction and replace them with healthy behavior that is good for you and the relationships around you.

Please know if you are struggling with addiction to benzodiazepines you can get help today. If you do not know who to turn to or would like to just talk about this further, feel free to call our toll-free helpline. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk with you about the various treatment options available. Your call is completely confidential and you don’t even have to give your name if you don’t want to. Call today so you can start to live a healthy life without substance abuse.

Learning to lead a sober life requires a lifetime commitment to a journey that occurs one day at a time. Once you complete addiction treatment, the next step toward recovery is to implement daily the coping strategies you learned in rehab. This task will be easier if you become more and more aware of relapse triggers, or the problems that cause an overwhelming urge to use drugs or alcohol again[i]. Triggers can remain the same throughout recovery, but they can also evolve into new reasons. The important thought here is to know how you feel at any given moment. If you diligently protect your thoughts and surround yourself with people who support your recovery, then your sober lifestyle can adapt to any unique situation.

Recovery One Step at a Time

Learning to lead a sober life means practicing the lessons you learned in rehab

One of the most important parts of the recovery journey is to pace yourself. It may take you time to readjust to your home life, job and relationships after treatment ends. This process may take time not only of you, but also of your loved ones, who may need time to get used to your new normal. Recognizing this view as positive rather than negative can help you, your friends and family feel comfortable being together. In short, see your journey of sobriety as a marathon rather than a sprint: choose a pace that is right for you and those around you to keep stress under control and to prevent relapse. Indeed, in his article, “Maintaining Sobriety and Avoiding Relapse,” Dr. Phil McGraw recommends recovering addicts to pace themselves and to begin a new history without the influence of drugs or alcohol[ii]. Write a new life story for yourself and your family one day at a time.

Keep Learning About Recovery

Another important part of your guide to a sober life is to keep learning about addiction, relapse and recovery. While you were in rehab, therapists, counselors and other rehab professionals taught you to recognize what problems trigger your cravings and what coping strategies can address these problems; to succeed for the long haul, the learning cannot stop there. Learn more each day about your addiction and how you got where you are, because more knowledge will help you avoid going back to those places and situations that contributed to your addiction in the first place. Learn new ways to stay clean from people in your support group and from others who have been where you are, because their help and words can be lifelines in your recovery.

Build a Recovery Community

Your recovery community can and should include anyone who understands and supports your sobriety. Extended family members, friends, co-workers and your support group can play a vital role in your sober lifestyle. However, building a recovery community also means ending toxic relationships that contributed to your addiction. It may seem harsh, but recognizing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships is an important part of staying sober.

Continue in Aftercare

Ongoing support after rehab ends (aftercare) is one of the most important parts of leading a sober life. Ongoing support groups become places to share feelings, struggles and success in a safe environment, because support group members have been where you are, which means they can offer valuable insights into lives of sobriety. Everyone represents a different point on the road to recovery, so you or your loved one can learn much from others who have taken the first steps before you. Support groups also provide a much-needed social outlet during the holidays or other times when you need to be with people who understand your unique problems. Lastly, support groups are also natural places to find sobriety partners. You and your sobriety partner are there for each other 24 hours a day to talk about problems. You can trust that this person will tell you the truth and help you through the rough patches whenever you need assistance.

Along with support groups, regular meetings with your counselor or therapist are also important. When you need them, keep scheduled appointments or make extra ones, and be sure to complete any assigned homework during your recovery plan.

Rediscover Your Spirit

Along with developing a healthy mind and body during and after rehab, you should also connect or reconnect with your spirit to stay sober after treatment ends. Many programs refer to a “higher power” to help recovering addicts see that something exists that is bigger than themselves and addiction. Getting involved in religious groups, practicing yoga and meditation and communing with nature are all ways to nurture a life of peace.

Find Help for Alcohol Addiction

A sober life begins by admitting you have a problem and then reaching out for help. If you or a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, then know that we are here to help. Call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline to speak to an admissions coordinator about available treatment options.

[i] Adi Jaffe, Ph.D. “Triggers and Relapse, A Craving Connection for Addicts.” Psychology Today, March 2010. Accessed November 13, 2015. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-addiction/201003/triggers-and-relapse-craving-connection-addicts

[ii] Dr. Phil McGraw. “Maintaining Sobriety and Avoiding Relapse.” Accessed November 13, 2015. http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/691

Overcoming a negative self-image and low self-esteem is essential for reaching recovery

A negative self-image is directly linked to low self-esteem, which greatly contributes to drug and alcohol abuse and  addiction. A person’s self-image is the overall picture she has of herself, including the extent of her abilities, ideas, opinions, looks, attractiveness and worth. When someone has a negative self-image, she typically believes that she is unattractive, cannot do anything right, is unable to excel in anything and that her opinions do not matter. Furthermore, self-image is also directly linked to weight, wealth and social status, so these factors affect self-image. Ergo, if someone deems herself overweight, poor and without friends, then she will likely have a negative self-image.

A person’s self-image is affected by how he sees himself, how others see him and how he thinks others see them. The problem with self-image is that it is subjective, so it depends upon who is influencing it. Regardless of its causes or its accuracy, a negative self-image correlates with low self-esteem, which often leads to substance abuse and addiction.

The Cabin Chiang Mai suggests that low self-esteem comes from four main sources, including having instability in life, feeling insignificant, feeling like a bad person and feeling incompetent. Some people feel as though their lives are out of their control and that their stability as a responsible adult is wavering. When a person believes that her life is seemingly out of her control, then she may give up in a way that can significantly lower her self-esteem and self-image. This instability will only increase when drugs and alcohol are introduced, even though they provide a temporary high that seems to boost self-esteem.

Other people struggle with feeling insignificant, especially to others, which causes them to have a skewed self-image. Certain people feel the need for significant attention or affection from others, so, when they do not receive what they deem as an adequate amount of interaction, then they develop a negative self-image. Furthermore, when someone believes that other people do not like or care for him, then he may abuse drugs and/or alcohol used to numb his pain. Eventually, the drugs and alcohol are the only things that comfort him, so he may quickly develop an addiction.

Whether it is from internal thoughts or outside sources, some people simply believe that they are not good or moral people. A view like this is often directly linked to alcohol abuse and drug addiction. A person may have experiences where others tell her that she is bad or worthless, so she may eventually believe these messages. In some cases, this situation can cause people to drink themselves to death, as this drug can temporarily release people from their negative feelings about themselves.

Some people who struggle with negative self-image and low self-esteem often feel generally incompetent or incapable in life. These feelings often cause them to avoid new activities or to try halfheartedly at new tasks. Drugs and alcohol can seem like the only ways that can make negative feelings disappear.

Overcoming a negative self-image and low self-esteem is essential not only for reaching recovery, but also for maintaining it long term. AlcoholRehab.com states that people who do not overcome low self-esteem in recovery will struggle to find happiness and eventually revert back to drug or alcohol abuse. A recovering addict must value himself above the temporary feeling that drugs and alcohol can provide. Addiction recovery is not simply about stopping the use of drugs and alcohol and returning to a seemingly normal life; instead, recovery is about building a better life, one that is full of happiness and opportunities. If a recovering addict does not learn to value himself, then he will not find lasting success away from drug and alcohol abuse.

Building a Positive Self-Image

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration explains how to raise self-esteem and to build a better self-image. First, pay close attention to personal needs to rebuild a better self-image. Exercise is not always the easiest task, and many people simply believe it is too hard. However, exercise pays off, and it slowly changes people’s self-images for the better. It gives people more natural energy as they continue to engage in it, so they will eventually feel healthier and more capable. Furthermore, eating healthy foods is also important, as unhealthy foods basically cancel out what the exercise accomplishes. Lastly, engaging in enjoyable activities, completing a task that has been left undone for a long time, dressing in enjoyable clothing, spending quality time with other people and being nice to others are all ways to raise self-esteem and to build a better self-image.

Help Finding Professional Treatment for Drug or Alcohol Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, then please call our toll-free helpline now. Our admissions coordinators are standing by 24 hours a day to help you find a professional treatment program that will work for you. Do not let addiction hold you back any longer; call us today for instant, professional support.

A big part of alcohol addiction recovery is protecting yourself from alcohol after treatment ends. During rehab, there is no access to alcohol of any kind, so the challenge of saying “no” to alcohol is not part of one’s daily routine. However, once treatment ends and you or your loved one is in the beginning stages of recovery, staying away from alcohol is an important part of preventing relapse. Unfortunately, staying away from alcohol completely can be challenging, and sometimes even impossible. Employing the coping skills that you learned in rehab and having strategies in place to protect your sobriety are crucial tasks to continue your recovery success.

Alcoholism Basics

The Mayo Clinic defines alcoholism as “a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.” Unhealthy alcohol use includes drinking any amount that puts your health or safety at risk, or the health and safety of someone else. People who struggle with alcoholism often have a family history of the disease or are genetically predisposed to it; furthermore, the earlier a person’s first experience with alcohol, the more likely he is to become an alcoholic later in life. In other words, learn what problems you have that predispose you to alcoholism, and then take action against them to stay sober.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Dealing with alcohol withdrawal in a safe way is the first and most important step in the recovery process. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe and life threatening at times, so it is important to seek appropriate medical attention. Many alcohol treatment facilities offer medically supervised detox, which allows the patient to withdraw from alcohol in a safe way. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include severe anxiety, tremors, irritability, agitation, seizures and severe stomach problems.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, several types of treatment are available for alcoholics. Behavioral treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, work by changing the thought and behavior patterns associated with alcohol abuse. There are also medications that have proven successful in the treatment of alcohol addiction. These are available only by prescription from a medical doctor, and they are typically used in combination with counseling. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous use 12-Step programs to change negative thought patterns that lead to alcoholism. Support groups in combination with professional rehab settings can provide comprehensive plans for people who struggle with alcoholism.

Tips for Avoiding Alcohol After Rehab Ends

Avoiding alcohol altogether during recovery is the best way to prevent relapse; but it is unlikely that you will avoid alcohol for the rest of your life. Office parties, family gatherings and weddings are a part of life, and staying away from celebrations is not always the best answer for you. If you are unsure of your ability to protect your sobriety, then finding an alternate activity is important, especially in the beginning stages of recovery. Once you feel strong enough to employ the coping skills that you learned in rehab, it is possible to attend functions where alcohol is being served. The following tips can help protect your sobriety when alcohol is present:

• Take your sobriety partner with you to events where alcohol is present. Having someone there who can support you throughout the evening can help you make the right choices.
• Keep a non-alcoholic beverage in your hand at all times. Having something to sip helps you feel less awkward and keeps your mind and hands occupied throughout the evening.
• Stay away from the area where alcohol is being served, such as coolers and beer tents
• Let your family members and friends know about your newly-found sobriety so they can support you at parties and functions. Give those closest to you the chance to show their support by not drinking along with you.
• Have support group members on speed dial. Having someone you can call right away who understands your struggles can be a lifeline when you are confronted with alcohol at an event. Let a few people in your support group know the date of the party so they can be ready to answer your call at a moment’s notice.
• Attend extra support group meetings. Talk about your fears with those who understand best what you are facing and let them help you build a concrete plan to avoid drinking.

Employing these strategies and others can give you the freedom to enjoy life without using alcohol. The important thing is to be on your guard at all times.

Finding Help for Alcohol Addiction

Protecting yourself from alcohol during recovery is crucial to treatment success. If you have plans in place to cope with the presence of alcohol, then you will have an important part of preventing relapse. If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol abuse, then know that we are here for you. Call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline right now to speak to an admissions coordinator about available treatment options.

The people in your support group understand better than anyone the things that you are facing

As with many things in life, addiction recovery can occasionally seem stagnant. These plateaus along the way are a normal part of the experience, so the important lesson to remember is not to let any time of stagnation derail all the progress you have already made. If you recognize the signs of a stagnant recovery, then you can make the proper adjustments to move forward.

The Beginning of Change: Recovery Basics

One way to deal with plateaus in plateaus in recovery is to review some of the basics you learned while in treatment. The first and most important thought to remember is that you recognized you had a problem, so you reached out for help. You took this very difficult step, and remembering that step can strongly motivate you to keep moving forward. Furthermore, during rehab, you learned about your addiction: its causes, your family history of addiction, your addiction triggers, the people associated with your addiction, other relationships and how to deal with stress and drug cravings. After treatment ends, you can address stagnancy if you review all these aspects with your therapist, accountability partner and support group. In doing so, you can remember where you have been and how far you have come in your struggle to stay drug free. As with most tasks that require daily practice to see improvement, you can strengthen your resolve to persevere if you review the basics of addiction recovery. This act can also increase your ability to resist the temptation to use drugs again when you hit a plateau.

Proper Self-care in Addiction Recovery

Many drug addicts neglect proper self-care, so they may suffer from malnutrition and severe sleep deprivation upon entering treatment. Along with getting to the heart of your addiction, you need proper medical care, healthy nutrition and general education in wellness to strengthen and equip both your body and the mind to fight drug cravings. Once rehab ends, it is up to you to continue caring for yourself. Start an exercise program, learn as much as you can about choosing healthy foods and reduce stress and get quality sleep to keep your body and mind alert. These benefits will help you recognize triggers and cravings so you can make the necessary changes to avoid them.

When you are tired and stressed, it is much easier to succumb to the habits that made you feel good in the past. If you find yourself in a recovery plateau, then make changes in your self-care to jumpstart your recovery process and avoid relapse.

Focus on Your Successes

When you hit a plateau and recovery feels stagnant, focus on your past successes to motivate yourself to move forward. Past successes remind you that you have the power to make the right decisions; they do not make it any easier to avoid drug abuse, but they can give you the courage you need to try one more time. One small lapse in judgment can undo all the good you have done, so past victories can serve as the road signs to future success. One more good choice is one more step on the journey to a life free from the control of drugs or alcohol.

Try Something New

When recovery becomes stagnant, it could be a sign that your life needs new energy to make good decisions seem worthwhile. Start a new hobby, learn a new skill or blow the dust off a pastime you formerly loved to get some positive energy back into your life. In doing so, you may give yourself a reason to be excited about recovery. Learning something new reminds you that you can achieve what you want, which includes your recovery.

Increase Your Level of Support

Sometimes simple life changes are not enough to help you through a plateau in a stagnant recovery. If you have tried adjusting your daily routine and your doctor has ruled out physical concerns, then it may be time to ramp up your support system. Add one or two additional sessions with your therapist each week to begin this process, because your therapist can review the lessons you learned in rehab and help you find healthy ways to reduce stress and deal with cravings. Your therapist can also help you see the problems that drag you down. Together, you can create a plan to deal with each issue that causes problems.

Along with additional therapy sessions, plan to attend additional support group meetings. The people in your support group understand better than anyone the things that you are facing. They can offer helpful suggestions for getting past your recovery plateau and provide a safe place for you to share your fears and frustrations.

Find Help for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Plateaus are a normal part of the healing process. Using the coping skills from rehab, increasing self-care and adding new activities to your daily routine are just a few ways to deal with a stagnant recovery. If you or a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, then know that we are here you. Call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline now to speak with an admissions coordinator about available treatment options.

Accountability is an important part of the recovery process, so share your journey with others so they can give you the support you need

If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, then talking about your recovery journey can feel overwhelming. Hiding your addiction and your attempts to get clean may seem like a good way to protect those you care about, but carrying the burden of addiction and recovery alone can make you vulnerable to relapse. Find people you trust and who are willing to hold you accountable for your new life to strengthen your resolve for recovery. Telling your story frees you to live one day at a time to be free from drugs and alcohol.

Accountability and the Past

Being accountable to a person or group for your addiction recovery helps you take responsibility for the past. In the first stages of rehab, it will take time for you to realize what your addiction has done to those you love. While living under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is easy to blame others or circumstances for the choices you made—addiction is your mother’s fault for not being there, your father’s fault for being too hard on you, a teacher’s fault for not understanding you, your spouse’s fault for enabling you and the list goes on and on. But, once treatment and recovery begin, taking responsibility for past mistakes and bad decisions is the way forward. This task can be a heavy burden to bear, and one easy to avoid, but having a support group or accountability partner can help you put past decisions in the proper perspective to avoid getting overwhelmed. Your accountability partner can help you walk through this difficult process one step at a time.

Accountability and Choices

During the second stage of recovery, when you are no longer in a treatment program but are attending meetings and seeing a therapist, accountability is crucial to recovery success. While in treatment, you were surrounded by people in similar circumstances and professionals who were there for you 24 hours a day. In other words, when cravings hit, there was always someone to help keep you from relapse. However, now that you are back home, on the job or in familiar environments, the stressors that drove you to use drugs may still be around, only now you lack help to avoid them. However, having an accountability partner or support group to call is the only way to stay drug free during those trying moments. Accountability partners can remind you how far you have come, and they can be there in a moment’s notice to help get through the craving. Accountability partners can also accompany you to functions where the temptation to use drugs might be too strong for you to resist. No matter the circumstances, accountability partners and support help you make the right choice at your moment of greatest weakness.

Accountability and Family

Addiction devastates families, so, whether you are able to admit it yet or not, your family members have been on the front lines of substance abuse with you. Accountability during recovery is one way to reassure your family that you are making good choices and are committed to staying clean. It may be difficult to have a family member as your only accountability partner, because family members often turn into enablers just to get through each day. But committing to your family and keeping your word is its own type of accountability: each time you are there when you have promised to do so, and each time you choose the respect and trust of your loved ones over the need to use drugs, you are using accountability to make you stronger. Talk to your therapist, support group and accountability partner about ways to regain the trust of your family, and you will increase your accountability to them.

What Accountability Accomplishes in Addiction Recovery

It may seem like accountability limits your behavior in unrealistic ways, but it actually frees you of the need to hide your past. When you hide your struggle with drugs, you are bound to keeping up pretense, so asking for help is out of the question. On the other hand, when you share your story, you open yourself up to help that was previously unavailable. When your friends and family understand your struggles, they can be there for you in ways you would have never thought possible. At first, accountability may seem overwhelming, but soon you will learn that it is one of the many bridges to freedom from a life controlled by drugs and alcohol.

Finding Help for Addiction

One of the first steps to ending drug or alcohol addiction is admitting you have a problem. From there, you can find a treatment program that is right for you to build a new life for yourself and your loved ones. If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse, we are here for you. Call our toll-free, 24 hour helpline to speak to an admissions coordinator about available treatment options.

Your recovery can leave a positive legacy for your family, friends and community

When people overcome substance abuse or addiction, they often maintain a powerful connection to others involved in the recovery process. In fact, people who succeed in addiction recovery often feel called to help others who are going through similar situations. These people may become leaders and active participants in recovery support, and they may even find work in community or nationwide groups. They may also sponsor other addicts and change their careers to the recovery field.

When someone is walking proof that sobriety is not only possible, but also vital, then she has the power to leave a positive legacy for her recovery world, her friends and her family. A recovering addict can greatly influence other people who want to get and stay sober; she can inspire and motivate addicts as she proves that recovery is feasible. One’s positive attitude can break the stigmas attached to addiction, and their advocacy can be contagious.

A life of sobriety will leave a positive legacy for more than just the people involved in treatment and recovery. Recovering addicts are walking proof of treatment success, so they will impact their friends, families and communities. Society must learn to accept that addiction is a disease, because then it will know that addicts need neither judgment nor discrimination; instead, drug users need direction and support. Therefore, when someone achieves and maintains sobriety, he shows his community that recovery is obtainable. Families can learn from a success story, as can friends, teammates, coworkers and neighbors. When someone overcomes a drug habit to lead a positive life, then others will take note, which may crack the foundations of bigotry against addicts. In short, while seeing an addict return to drugs will increase the the stigmas of addiction, a positive legacy will accomplish the opposite.

Find Help Getting and Staying Sober

If you are thinking about finding sobriety, then take the first step toward recovery by calling our toll-free, 24 hour helpline. Our admissions coordinators are available right now to answer your questions, address your concerns and to provide whatever information you need to begin getting clean. Our staff can even connect you with the treatment programs that will work for your unique needs, given that you are ready to utilize such care. You have nothing to lose by picking up the phone, because you have nowhere to go but up if you let go of your substance abuse.

Developing a routine during addiction recovery can help create stability and keep you focused on your sobriety.

Most people use a routine for their daily lives, and when you are recovering from an addiction you may find it helpful to develop a new routine that supports sobriety. Establishing and following a routine while overcoming addiction can help in many ways and could help you continue to progress during your recovery.

Routine Creates Stability

Stability is something that a recovering addict desperately needs, and developing a routine during recovery is a way to bring some stability into your life. When you leave the treatment center you may not be able to return to your old routine, but you can develop something new to help utilize your time and keep your mind on positive things. Instead of avoiding plans for the day, each day you should follow a regular regimen, whether that involves cooking for you and/or your family, going to work, cleaning or other activities. The key to creating stability with a routine is to establish a list of activities that are required daily and sticking to them. While there will be other obligations that pop up, having a routine will keep you busy and keep your mind occupied so you are not focused on cravings.

Routine Develops Confidence

As you continue following your daily routine you may notice it is hard to stick to at first, but the longer you continue the less you have to think about meeting your obligations. The more you prove to yourself that you can stick with your routine, the more you will develop confidence and feel capable of taking on the additional challenges that will inevitably arise during your recovery. Developing a routine will help keep your mind off cravings and relapse and will help you develop positive habits that will be beneficial to your recovery.

Beginning Your Road to Recovery

The first step to recovering from addiction is to seek treatment. If you are ready to begin your recovery, call our toll-free helpline today to learn more about what happens during addiction treatment and to speak with a trained addiction expert who can give you information about treatment options. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions about addiction and to let you know if your health insurance will help pay for rehab, so call today.

Maintain healthy relationships to experience support, encouragement, love, positivity and hope

Addiction recovery can have different definitions, but the way someone defines recovery can significantly impact her life after addiction treatment ends. Some people view recovery as simply completing a rehab program or getting sober, but this inaccurate view contributes to people falling back into substance abuse and addiction. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery from substance abuse and mental health problems as

“a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”

SAMHSA expands upon their definition by saying recovery operates under the following 10 principles:

• It fosters hope
• Is person-driven
• Occurs via many pathways
• Is holistic
• Requires support from peers and allies
• Is supported through relationship and social networks
• Is culturally-based and influenced
• Is supported by addressing trauma
• Involves individual, family and community strengths and responsibility
• Is based on respect

People must see recovery as a journey rather than a destination, and to succeed they require personal drive along with support from others. The fact that recovery is a life-long process is evident through the people who maintain recovery by participating in aftercare programs and who constantly update their recovery methods. In fact, people who reach sobriety but avoid these steps are likely to relapse.

Maintaining recovery takes daily focus and continued involvement in aftercare programs. SAMHSA provides recovering addicts with the following four components to supporting long-term sobriety:

• Health – Make healthy choices by learning how your daily choices affect your physical, mental and behavioral health
• Home – Create a stable, safe place to live that is free from drugs and alcohol
• Purpose – Find meaning in life that wards off boredom and complacency, such as a career, school, volunteer work, creative outlets and healthy participation in society
• Community – Maintain healthy relationships to experience support, encouragement, love, positivity and hope

If you understand that recovery is a lifelong process that requires maintenance, personal drive, hope and support, then you may empower yourself to avoid a relapse.

Find Treatment for Substance Abuse and Addiction

If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse or addiction, then please call our toll-free helpline now. Our admissions coordinators are standing by 24 hours a day to help you find treatment that will work for you. Overcome addiction and start reaching your recovery goals; call now.

Breaking goals down into smaller chunks can make sobriety seem more attainable during addiction recovery

Whether you just choose to quit drugs or you are several years into your recovery, the idea of staying sober for the rest of your life can be intimidating. While thinking of recovery in terms of years or decades can be overwhelming, viewing your recovery on a short-term scale can maintain your perspective and encourage you to stay positive. While staying sober for one day may not seem like much in comparison to your entire life, every day you remain sober is a crucial milestone for your recovery.

How Long-Term Thinking can Be Harmful

It is important to consider your future as you progress through recovery, but sometimes long-term thinking can harm addiction recovery. If you are going through a difficult time, staying sober for another year may seem hopeless. The hopelessness you feel when thinking about staying sober may lead you to abuse drugs, especially if you think there is no hope anyway. Thinking about the long term without considering the short term can make you feel worse about recovery, but this kind of thinking does not account for the fact that recovering users will grow stronger as time passes.

Short-Term Thinking Can Improve Your Recovery

Instead of focusing on the long term of addiction recovery, you should be mindful of the progress you are making in the short term. In other words, rather than focusing on the years or even months ahead of you, focus on staying sober for this week, day or hour. It is much easier for users to start small and to increase the scope of their goals instead of leaving rehab thinking they will stay sober for the rest of time. By breaking goals down into smaller chunks, your goals will seem more attainable, and each time you succeed you will feel more positive about recovery. In return, as your recovery progresses, you can start paying attention to the upcoming weeks and months instead of days, and the future will seem less intimidating.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Until you receive professional addiction treatment, you will have a difficult time maintaining sobriety. To learn more about addiction treatment and how it can help you reach your goals, call our toll-free helpline today. Our admissions coordinators are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions regarding addiction; they can also discuss addiction treatment and what you can expect during rehab. Call now, and be sure to ask if your health insurance policy will cover the cost of rehab. You can recover with the right help.