Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate those who successfully overcome addictions.
Though everyone’s experiences with substance use disorders differ, and people become addicted for different reasons, one common thread is that addiction can complicate a user’s life. Long-term substance misuse can have dire effects on your physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.
Once you begin working on your recovery, you may find yourself having to sort through problems resulting from your self-destructive actions. For the best chances of sustained success, consider these ways to simplify your life.
1. Reevaluate Your Relationships
You might have done or said uncharacteristic things in the throes of active addiction. Perhaps you denied you had a drinking problem when concerned friends asked if you were OK, or you told your boss you had a doctor’s appointment so you could leave work early to meet with your drug dealer. This kind of behavior can eventually drive away well-meaning friends and relatives, until the only people you have left are drinking or drug buddies.
Once you’re working on sustained addiction recovery, you’ll need to learn to identify toxic people who might prevent you from making valuable progress. Then, focus on apologizing to those you hurt, and working to earn back their trust and support. Your goal should be to surround yourself with people who understand you and cut ties with anyone who represents a threat to your progress in sobriety.
2. Find New Hobbies
One of the most significant challenges for many newly sober people is discovering ways to fill the hours they used to spend drinking or using drugs. Since boredom can be a significant relapse trigger, you’ll need to identify activities that occupy your mind and body. Examples might be:
- Photography
- Hiking
- Yoga
- Birdwatching
- Gardening
- Solving crossword or jigsaw puzzles
- Meditation
- Cooking
3. Change Your Surroundings
After your discharge from addiction treatment, you might find your home feels stressful because it reminds you of the time when you were drinking or using. Regain control of your environment and set the stage for sustained addiction recovery by clearing the clutter and donating anything you no longer use to charity. Rearrange your furniture or repaint your living room or bedroom in a calming or energetic color.
4. Practice Goal Setting
In early addiction recovery, there’s always something to work toward. Being practical about how you set goals can help you achieve more. Use the acronym SMART to set goals you can keep. Realistic goals share these characteristics:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Sustained Addiction Recovery Starts Here
A qualified addiction rehab like New Found Life can show you the way out of the cycle of substance abuse and hopelessness and teach you the skills necessary to manage your disease. When you’re ready to learn more about our programming and how we have helped people learn to live healthy, fulfilling lives since 1993, contact us today to request help.