If you’ve just fully recovered from a disorder regarding substance abuse, you should be aware of how much effort, time, and sacrifices you made to achieve where you are now. Although many assume that relapsing could be the last thing that could happen after successful alcohol and drug detoxification, unfortunately, relapses are very common for individuals new to recovery.
In fact, up to 80% of those who achieved long-term sobriety had experienced at least one relapse in their journey.
To help you avoid succumbing to the temptations in your daily life after recovery, here are five ways to achieve that.
Learn to Fight and Manage Your Urges
Although most urges or feelings of temptation only last between 15 and 30 minutes, fighting them off can be challenging. You can fight against this by trying a substitute, such as chewing gum or reciting a personal mantra that can calm you down. Another way you can distract yourself is by journaling or keeping yourself busy.
Find Relaxing Distractions
When you become tense, you may do your vices to keep you calm, so it’s wise to find a healthy way to distract yourself and relax. There are plenty of ways you can achieve this, and different things may work for other people and may not work for you. These include:
- Listening or creating music
- Attending yoga sessions
- Taking a hike or walk around natural environments
- Getting a massage
- Practicing breathing exercises
- Meditate every morning
- Read a book every day
- Play sports
- Plant a garden
- Volunteer at rehabilitation centers
Although different things work for various people, doing any of the things mentioned can help you stay on track.
Join a Support Group
There are many groups that you can join, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Joining these organizations are a fantastic way to create a support network as it helps you connect with individuals going through the same rough patch as you. You can try various meetings from different groups to pinpoint which one is the best for your case. There are many smartphone applications that you can use to connect with these individuals, allowing you to get immediate help when needed,
Learn to Manage Your Stress Levels
Getting stressed out at some point after recovery is normal, whether it’s significant stress from losing your job or minor stress from running late for work. Stress levels play a crucial role in staying on track since having too much of it can lead you to succumb to your addictions. When this happens, find a sober friend or relative you can talk to or keep your schedules flexible enough to give you time to calm yourself down during these rough stretches.
Create a Reliable Support Network
Although your relationships may be strained or not what it used to be after rehab, it’s still a good idea to lean on close acquaintances, friends, and family for support. Considering getting professional counseling and family therapy to help you get the support system you need while dealing with personal problems. Other ways you can achieve this is by inviting sober friends as your ‘plus-one’ during social events or keep in contact with your sponsor and call them if you’re feeling anxious.
The sudden transition of staying in a supported environment to normal living circumstances can be challenging for those who recovered from rehab. Although it’s different for everyone, following the methods mentioned can help you stay on track, allowing you to live happier, healthier, and vice-free.