Getting back into a healthy routine and regular lifestyle is key to staying sober after addiction rehab. Remember that you’ve come a long way to overcome this condition, so you must go the extra mile to keep away from all those bad things that could ruin your life.
You may wonder how to stay sober after the recovery programs in the rehab facilities in Longmont are over. Following the advice of a treatment program is vital. Also, engaging in recovery-related behaviors can help you maintain your sobriety. But in the end, it’s all up to you and your environment.
Get Support
Addiction is a disease that you have to fight on your own, but that doesn’t mean you should be lonely on that path. So you should involve your family and friends in the healing process. They need to approach the treatment with compassion and not from a place of condemnation or shame.
The support of loved ones and professional help is of great importance for the success of the recovery. Even after the treatment is completed, people around you should encourage, support, and motivate you to stay sober.
Make sure to spend quality time with family and friends who can offer you help in dealing with urges or stress. For example, you can start new traditions and organize gatherings that can help your return to society. These activities will help you stay sober and avoid the challenges of getting back to the old vices.
Think about Outpatient Program
After finishing rehab, you should start attending an outpatient program. Those who have completed treatment in an addiction rehab program may be eligible for outpatient support, including weekly meetings with a therapist. Positive reinforcement will help you stay sober without continual supervision.
Joining support groups is another way to stay sober (get more info on their importance).These groups are great for various reasons, including accountability, motivation, and encouragement. Also, they focus on several recovery steps and help members develop their own recovery paths. Also, they can help you maintain sobriety and overcome relapse.
Change Your Environment
Once you’ve completed treatment, you’ll want to maintain healthy relationships. Your environment shouldn’t include people and things that can cause you to relapse. They bring the risk of experiencing experience new triggers that could lead you back to old vices. So you’ll want to avoid going to your old hangouts or change the route you take home.
After graduating from rehab, it’s important to keep a positive attitude. To combat addiction triggers, surround yourself with sober friends or family members. If you’re struggling with the emotional side of your recovery, you may need to seek out counseling or family therapy.
Not only people but the stuff around you can trigger a relapse. For example, a cluttered environment will create mental clutter and make it more difficult to think through your cravings. Or an overly bare place may make you feel unsafe. So adapt your environment to the new you and make it your haven.
Set Goals for Future
One of the most important things you can do in recovery is to set long-term goals. That can help keep you on track and give you a sense of accomplishment. Setting goals for your future will also help you feel more confident and secure as you move forward in recovery. And meeting them will give you a tail win to set more for the future.
During rehab, you will be taught to set SMART goals. SMART goals are defined as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. In short, these should be realistic and measurable. Try not to have general goals because that can lead to procrastination and excuses.
Write down specific ideas and dreams to know what you need to achieve to move forward. Making regular plans and organizing your days are essential to avoid relapse. That will make you feel better about yourself. And when you have a clear vision of your future, you’ll be able to feel more motivated and capable.
Find New Hobbies
After addiction rehab, a good way to stay busy and stay sober is by taking up new hobbies. These new activities can help you keep your mind off the thoughts that may trigger a relapse. For example, you can re-learn some of the things you used to love as a child or nurture a specific talent.
Getting involved in an art class or joining a theater can be very therapeutic. These activities can help you express yourself while staying sober. Also, exercise is especially important for recovering addicts and alcoholics. So hitting a gym can be an excellent stress reliever and a way to meet new, sober people.
Recognize Relapse Symptoms
Relapse is something you can expect after the addiction treatment. So it’s of utmost importance to recognize its symptoms and not let them get you back to addiction. While some people may tend to hide and ignore these, recognizing warning signs can prevent you from relapsing.
Check the link below for guidance on avoiding relapse:
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-article/10-tips-for-avoiding-relapse
One of the most common signs of relapse occurs in the early recovery phase. You might see other people drinking, taking drugs, gambling, or doing anything that can trigger your addiction. It can make you do the same, thinking it can’t hurt you because you’re healed now. But it can’t, so do your best to avoid people and gatherings that can make you reach for vices again.
Another warning sign of relapse is when you stop caring about your look or become reclusive and socially isolated. When you withdraw from friends and family, you can become lonely, which increases your chances of relapsing. Emotional distress is a common trigger of addiction, so make sure you have good support during these hard times.
Addiction is a disease, and no one can force it to go away. And recovery is a unique process because every patient has a different background. But it can be successful with your full commitment, desire, and willpower. Of course, after finishing the treatments, there will be hard times, but you must stay strong and sober.
