Addiction is hardly uncommon in our society. Sadly, at some point in their lives, 10% of Americans will suffer from drug use disorder.
However, there is a silver lining around this cloud of darkness. People who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction have a myriad of options to recover from this disease. There are countless methods and sources out there for people who want to shed the heavy burden of addiction and move on with their lives.
Addiction recovery, however, will not be easy. You will need help along the way.
That’s exactly what we’re here to provide. Keep reading for some practical advice on how to stay strong while you recover from addiction.
Join an Addiction Recovery Group
While it’s important to separate from old friends and contacts who are still using drugs or abusing alcohol, it helps to be around people who know what you’re going through. We recommend joining an addiction recovery group like AA.
Here, you can talk to people who are also in the recovery process. You’ll meet some people who have been sober for years and others who have just begun their journey.
Regardless, this will be a safe place for your to vent, seek support, and get the help you need to succeed in addiction recovery. Many AA groups assign sponsors to members to help them remain accountable for their sobriety.
Lean on Friends and Family for Support
You can also find help with addiction from the people closest to you. No matter what the worst of your drug or alcohol addiction looked like, your friends and family members will support you on your path to recovery.
Don’t try to bottle things up. You need to be able to talk about your feelings to someone who is genuinely invested in your well-being.
You also need a reliable confidant whom you can talk to about urges and impulses to use. Lean on them to get you through tough times and talk you down off the ledge.
Seek Addiction Counseling
A drug or alcohol addiction can cause a lot of trauma in a marriage or relationship. When you enter into a relationship, there’s an unspoken pact to be there for one another, through good and bad times. This includes carrying equal portions of the relationship, which thrives on give-and-take.
Though your partner undoubtedly loves you, your addiction probably took a toll on them. As such, the process of addiction recovery might demand addiction counseling, for both you and your partner.
For couples going through addiction recovery, it might be beneficial to find couples therapy or marriage counseling. The counselor can help you build the foundation of your relationship back up, while simultaneously giving you the tools you need to stay sober.
Invest in Your Professional Life
Outside of the various forms of addiction counseling, you need to find other aspects of your life to motivate you to stay sober. Now is the time to start dreaming about your future again. Your life no longer has to revolve around living in secrecy and obsessing over your next fix.
Now that you’re on the path to recovery, you can begin to invest in your professional life again. What professional goals or aspirations do you have? Maybe now’s a good time to go back to college and get your degree.
Regardless, focusing on your career is a good way to move past your old life. Keeping these professional goals in mind is also an effective method of resisting the urge to use drugs or alcohol again.
Dive Into New Hobbies
Not everyone is career-driven. If you see a job as a necessary means for making money, and nothing more, that’s okay. You don’t need to define your success or who you are by your profession.
In this case, you can increase your success with addiction recovery by finding new hobbies or revisiting old ones. What did you enjoy doing before your addiction took hold of your life? What hobbies give you a sense of satisfaction or fulfillment?
For most people, hobbies provide a creative outlet in which they can express themselves. This could be any number of things, such as:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Woodworking
- Photography
- Music
- Blacksmithing
- Knitting, Weaving, and Sewing
- Fitness
- Cooking and baking
- Interior design
- Travel
- And more
Use this time in your life to discover your passions. Then, dive into them to start living happier and healthier.
Start Focusing on Your Health
Speaking of living healthier, one of the best ways to recover from addiction is by focusing on health and fitness. When you were using, it was probably difficult to work out and eat healthily. There was no motivation for it.
Now, however, you can take back your health with your sobriety. By investing in your addiction recovery, you will already be healthier, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Expand on this part of your journey by starting a new workout routine. Start lifting weights, swimming, jogging, etc. You can even join a group fitness class for extra motivation and direction.
Additionally, clean up your diet and make whole foods the staple of your nutrition. The influx of vitamins and minerals will help you feel better than you ever thought possible.
Learn How to Set Boundaries
Finally, addiction recovery requires sacrifice. This means setting boundaries for yourself and others.
For example, your old friends who are still abusing drugs or drinking regularly may still call on you to hang out and party. You must learn how to say no. Seeing these people and engaging in your old activities will be a trigger for your drug or alcohol abuse.
You can see these old acquaintances for lunch and coffee, but avoid situations that can lead to a relapse. In some cases, if they are likely to enable you to use again, it might be better to cut ties entirely.
Additionally, set boundaries with people with good intentions that don’t understand your situation. This might mean foregoing a Christmas party where you know alcohol is being served. It might mean hosting a dry wedding, despite everyone wanting an open bar.
Whatever the situation, assess your strengths and your weaknesses to help you identify which boundaries you need to set up in your life.
Need Help With Addiction Recovery?
There are a lot of things you can do to help you on your journey to addiction recovery. The most important thing is to remember that help is always just a phone call away. You can call friends, families, and addiction hotlines if no one else is available.
And if you’re looking for addiction counseling, couples therapy, or marriage counseling, we are here for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and talk about what you need. We would love to be a part of your journey.
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