Habits are behaviors that become automatic over time, often requiring little or no conscious thought. They can be positive or negative and can impact every area of a person's life, from their health and relationships to their work and overall well-being.
For individuals in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, developing and maintaining good habits is crucial for achieving and maintaining sobriety. In this blog post, we will explore some of the good habits and provide examples of how these habits can build a strong foundation for long-term sobriety.
Attend Meetings Regularly
Support group meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can be an essential part of a person's recovery journey. Attending meetings regularly provides individuals with a sense of community and support, allowing them to connect with others who understand the struggles of addiction.
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Stay Active
Physical activity can help reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a healthy outlet for negative emotions. Exercise can also be a natural mood booster, helping individuals in recovery feel more positive and motivated.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools to help manage stress and anxiety, common relapse triggers. By learning to focus on the present moment and cultivate a sense of inner peace, individuals in recovery can develop greater resilience and emotional balance.
Sometimes it's as easy as a Google or YouTube Search, or you can dive a little deeper and download a meditation app like Headspace or Waking Up. The Waking Up app allows you to pay what you want, depending on your financial situation. If you can't afford to pay anything, just be honest and send them a message on their website informing them of your situation.
Build A Strong Support Network
Having a strong support network is essential for maintaining sobriety. Surrounding oneself with supportive friends, family members, and peers who understand the struggles of addiction can be helpful in staying accountable and maintaining motivation.
Set Goals
Setting achievable goals can give a sense of purpose and direction, leading to feelings of accomplishment and self-worth. By setting challenging but attainable goals, individuals in recovery can build confidence and resilience.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
If you feel like you are going to use again, or did use and don't want to continue down that path, you should reach out to your sponsor, a close family member or a friend, or call a mental health hotline like 988 to seek help before you end up right where you started.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), While relapse is a normal part of recovery, it can be very dangerous—even deadly for some drugs. If a person uses as much of the drug as they did before quitting, they can easily overdose because their bodies are no longer adapted to their previous level of drug exposure.
If you experience a relapse and fall back into your old habits, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor should be your next move. You can also reach out to a sponsor or trusted friend/family member who is familiar with your situation.
Relapse is just part of some of our journey, it is not a reason to give up completely on the work you put so much effort into.
Practice Self-care
Engaging in activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing good hygiene, can help prevent relapse. Taking care of oneself is essential for building a strong foundation for sobriety.
Avoid Triggers
Identifying and avoiding triggers, such as certain people, places, or activities that may lead to drug or alcohol use, can be important in maintaining sobriety. By staying away from situations that could potentially lead to relapse, individuals in recovery can protect their sobriety and maintain their progress.
Develop New Hobbies and Interests
Engaging in new hobbies or interests can provide a healthy distraction from negative thoughts and behaviors associated with addiction. By discovering new passions and interests, individuals in recovery can find joy and fulfillment outside of drugs or alcohol.
Stay Accountable
Being accountable to oneself and others can help prevent relapse. This can include regularly checking in with a sponsor or support group, being honest about struggles and setbacks, and taking responsibility for one's actions. By staying accountable, individuals in recovery can maintain motivation and build trust with themselves and others.
In conclusion, developing good habits is essential for achieving and maintaining sobriety. By attending support AA/NA meetings regularly, staying active, practicing mindfulness and meditation, building a strong support network, setting goals, seeking professional help when needed, practicing self-care, avoiding triggers, developing new hobbies and interests, and staying accountable, individuals like you, that are in recovery can build a strong foundation for long-term sobriety. With dedication, hard work, and support, anyone can achieve lasting recovery from addiction.
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