Recovery from any type of addiction is rarely straightforward, and it’s understandable that you’d want to do anything in your power to boost the likelihood of your efforts working out in this scenario.
We’ve put together a few factors that can make or break the process of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, although, of course, these can apply to other physical and behavioural addictions as well.
Being realistic about the challenges they face
You know that overcoming an addiction is a difficult process and it’s important to be realistic about the uphill struggle that lies ahead.
It isn’t easy, but having a clear understanding of why you’re struggling can help you develop better strategies for managing your recovery.
Most importantly, you have to appreciate that you won’t kick self-destructive habits in one fell swoop, and so to avoid being disheartened your goals and milestones must be realistic.
Take it one day at a time, and celebrate small steps, not just big ones. This approach works in business, and also works for personal aims like this.
Avoiding key triggers
It also helps to identify key triggers – situations, people or events that could lead back into substance abuse – and have plans in place so that if those triggers arise again, they won’t derail your progress towards sobriety.
This can give you the tools necessary for managing difficult times without resorting back to old habits of drug or alcohol use as coping mechanisms.
Most importantly, remove yourself from situations in which these triggers are present if you fear you’re not at the point where you can deal with them.
A stable environment
Treatment and rehabilitation centres like those found on allendaletreatment.com offer a safe and stable environment for addicts. Early in your recovery, such facilities and professional assistance are invaluable.
However, creating a stable environment is essential for recovery beyond this. It means maintaining healthy relationships with supportive friends and family members who understand what it takes to get through these tough times.
So on top of being able to access reliable resources such as sober living facilities, you need the people you love around you to give you stability at home and in your social life.
Understanding that a relapse is not a disaster
It is important to remember that relapse is not a disaster, but rather an opportunity to reflect and learn. If you slip up and make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself; instead, use it as motivation to stay focused on your goals of sobriety.
In essence, don’t treat a relapse as going back to square one. Instead, it’s just part of the process of healing and getting to grips with your new reality.
Embracing honesty as the best policy
Finally, being open and honest with those around you – including family members or friends who are aware of your struggle – can help provide the support network necessary for recovery in the long run.
Moreover, embracing honesty as the best policy means being clear and transparent about any issues or problems that may arise during this journey, including with your therapist.
Don’t be afraid to share what you’re going through with others – there will always be someone willing to lend an ear.
The bottom line
It’s unhelpful to think that there’s a fast way to recover from addiction, let alone a surefire solution to your issues in this area.
Your best bet is to ask for help, both professional and social, and to not get too disheartened by any setbacks on your journey to sobriety.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg.
