Recognizing the need to sober up is one thing, but really doing it is another. While admitting there’s a problem is a huge step in the right direction, it’s just the beginning of what has to be done to manage the issue and go on with recovery. It’s possible that some individuals would want a simple solution since they don’t understand what’s necessary to overcome addiction. Some people could become stuck because they don’t know where to begin. In any scenario, it’s simple to become lost along the route if one isn’t aware of the potential pitfalls and the resources available to overcome them. The following 5 tips will ease your life after leaving addiction treatment.
5 Tips for Maintaining Sobriety After Leaving Addiction Treatment
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Learning how to recognize the warning symptoms of a relapse.
Understanding the red flags that signal a potential relapse can help you stay on track.
Relapse often follows these three stages:
- Physical relapse.
- Mental relapse.
- Emotional relapse.
Some telltale relapse signs include:
Believing that substance use would ease the pain.
- Acting recklessly.
- Going to locations where drugs are being used.
- Hanging out with individuals abusing drugs.
- Engaging in compulsively self-defeating actions
- Returning to previous patterns of addicted thinking.
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Engage in physical exercise activities.
Numerous studies have shown the positive health effects of even brief daily exercise sessions (around 30 minutes). Exercising regularly has been shown to improve mental and physical health.
Not only can exercise improve physical and mental health, but it may also reduce the boredom and stress that can contribute to relapse.
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Establish a solid system of support.
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, building a support system is essential for reintegrating into regular life. Some people find help by participating in 12-step groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. It may be quite inspiring to be around other people who are going through the same kinds of things that you are.
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Find ways to deal with your looser schedule.
Schedule-making is an integral part of any relapse prevention strategy. Maintaining some kind of order in your life is crucial throughout sobriety since the absence of routines may tempt you to revert to your previous ways of using. Establish a routine where you get up and go to sleep at around the same times each day, talk to loved ones on the phone, and wind down with an evening bath or shower.
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Prepare for the return of old triggers.
Not only should you have a plan in place for when your routine is disrupted, but you should also be ready to deal with previous triggers. For instance, if someone at work asks you out for drinks, it helps to have a prepared answer ready.
Visit The Best Treatment Facility in Houston For Substance Abuse Help.
Completing an addiction treatment program and getting sober doesn’t mean you can’t relapse. Staying sober means that you have to admit that you still have a problem. That is why an aftercare plan like the one offered at Taylor Recovery Center in Houston, Texas, is necessary. Our partnership with our clients does not end upon leaving the treatment center. We believe that having a solid aftercare plan is necessary. Please visit our website or call us to learn more about our treatment options or speak with an admissions representative.