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People underestimate how difficult the road to recovery can be at times. When you’re fighting addiction and fall into relapse, it can be discouraging. However, this is not the end of the world.
Many people have setbacks on their path to recovery. You shouldn’t label yourself as a failure and give up so easily. Remember, recovery is a journey, and the path isn’t always linear.
However, making a few lifestyle changes can improve your chances of success and avoid future relapses. Here’s a list of some of the changes you should consider making.
1. Seek Support
You do not have to go through recovery alone. When people relapse, it’s typical for them to feel ashamed. While your feelings are valid, know that this doesn’t have to be a complete downward spiral. Realize that bouncing back after a relapse is possible when you have a support system.
It would be best if you surrounded yourself with a solid support network. This could include close friends or family members. However, if this isn’t a safe space for you, you can consider joining recovery groups and creating a support system there.
Share your recovery journey with people who understand what you’re going through. You must look for people that you know have your best interests at heart. These people will believe in you and help keep you going.
You can also consider working with a professional counselor to help you through the entire process. A mental health professional will have the proper resources and training to help people struggling through recovery.
2. Seek Treatment
You must return to treatment as soon as possible. Recognize that addiction recovery is a lengthy process. There’s a chance you’ll require therapy more than once. However, you shouldn’t interpret this as a weakness. Instead, this shows your dedication to overcoming addiction and breaking old, counterproductive habits.
3. Learn From Mistakes
It’s critical to frame your situation properly. In times of relapse, it’s tempting to beat yourself up and feel like a failure. However, to transcend these feelings of disappointment, you must view it as a learning experience. It would help if you tried to reflect on what happened or what may have caused you to revert to old patterns.
Maybe a traumatic experience triggered it. Perhaps you were surrounded by people who influenced your relapse. It’s also possible that you’re attempting to fill the emptiness created by stopping previous habits for some time.
Whatever the case, recognize that it is okay to falter. However, endeavor to always get back up. Be kind to yourself. The best thing you can do for yourself is to have the right mental state to move forward despite the setback.
4. Avoid Risky Situations Or Triggers
You will likely learn more about your triggers as you progress through treatment. Avoiding these triggers is a critical step toward breaking old habits, even if it’s difficult.
Each individual will have different triggers. This may necessitate that you distance yourself from friends or coworkers at times. You may have to decline that after-work get-together with colleagues or parties with friends.
Avoiding triggers is most likely going to be difficult. You will undoubtedly have to make significant changes to your lifestyle. However, realize that you’re doing this for yourself and that your recovery is worth the changes you’re making.
5. Discover New Hobbies
When you decide to break a bad habit, you may experience a void in your life. It’s difficult to break old habits because they’re comfortable and have become a part of your lifestyle.
Discipline is required to break old habits. But it’s far more important to adopt new and healthier habits. It would be best if you filled the vacuum left by your withdrawal with worthwhile hobbies like sports, reading, writing, volunteering, cooking, or gardening.
You may devote more time to various hobbies when you have free time. It’s best to stay occupied because sometimes being idle is not good while in recovery, as you may be tempted to revert to old ways.
6. Establish Routine
Once you’ve gotten your feet together, adding some structure to your life is important. Establishing a routine makes your life more predictable, so you always have something to do. Plus, it allows you to look forward to the day’s activities. Instead of letting your mind wander, a routine will help you stay on course throughout recovery.
Conclusion
The road to recovery is never easy. You will likely encounter many temptations to revert to old habits. Staying on track requires fortitude despite the detours that may come your way.
However, you can adopt new habits and integrate a few lifestyle changes to make your path to recovery easier. Remember that a relapse doesn’t mark the end of your journey. If you’re set on turning it around, you can bounce back and continue your recovery.
