The road to recovery is often a bumpy one. However, seeking professional help and remembering to take it one step and day at a time will give you the best chance at a happy and successful life.
Here’s some advice on managing your addiction and moving forward within your recovery.
Seek Help
Don’t do this alone. Ask for help and find a support group of people that will hold you accountable. This can be a church group, family, trusted friends, or an AA group. Either way, National Geographic states that it’s important to “put yourself first and stay in touch with trained professionals who know you and can provide you with comprehensive treatment options and sound advice throughout your recovery.”
Consider adopting a pet. Not only do animals offer companionship, but they teach responsibility and will reinstill a sense of trust in your life again. If you are feeling alienated and alone, a pet is especially helpful in that they love unconditionally and may be just the thing you need to brighten up every day.
Make a Move
Now that you are in recovery, consider moving to a different neighborhood with a community that supports your new lifestyle. You might want to be closer to family or start fresh, leaving old friends who may have enabled bad choices behind. In order to succeed in your recovery, it’s important you create a positive environment and atmosphere for yourself and this new chapter of your life. Avoid places that may act as triggers and cause temptation such as bars and areas of a city with a big nightlife. This will ensure you don’t run the risk of relapse, and will help you stick to your new way of living.
Get Healthy
Developing healthy habits and a routine for yourself will make it all the more easier to stay clean and focused. Get plenty of exercise and use it as an outlet for all of your stress and anxiety. This is the perfect opportunity to try a new and fun workout class like yoga or dance. Getting involved in a workout group is not only a healthy distraction from life’s difficulties, but it’s an easy and natural way to establish new friendships with people.
You’ll also want to watch your diet. Make a meal plan and stock your house full of healthy foods; ones that are rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats like chicken and fish, as well as whole grains, nuts and rice. Get lots of sleep and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Try to avoid high amounts of sugar or coffee as these result in immediate highs followed by crashes much like one’s experience with substance abuse.
Perhaps most importantly, take time for self reflection and meditation. Remember why you are making these changes in your life and show kindness and forgiveness to yourself.