There are a number of ways to improve the likelihood of success in recovery after going through treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction.
The following are tips that can help patients to modify and monitor their behavior as they work to rebuild their lives in sobriety:
- Start with a solid treatment program. The more intensive the rehab program you choose, the longer you stay, and the more active you are in taking part, the more likely it is that you will be able to fend off relapse.
- Make a plan. In treatment, you likely had a therapeutic treatment plan designed to address the specific obstacles facing you in recovery. After rehab, you’ll need something similar. Work together with a counselor prior to leaving treatment to create one or ask your personal therapist to assist you in choosing the best possible continued treatment choices.
- Build a community. The more peers you have supporting you, modeling good choices and available to come to your aid when you feel tempted to get high or drink, the more likely it is that you will stick to your recovery plan. Twelve-step meetings, support groups, volunteer opportunities and more can be built into your treatment plan for this purpose.
- Increase frequency of therapeutic meetings right after treatment. Many people who participate in 12-step meetings opt to go to 90 meetings in 90 days after treatment to solidify their dedication to recovery, but other therapeutic options can augment or replace parts of this process if that’s not an option that appeals to you.
- Choose therapies you like. If you enjoy sports, try sport therapies or outdoors and adventure therapy. If you enjoy movies or writing, try journaling or cinema therapy. Make sure your therapy choices help you meet your goals for treatment but are also interesting enough to keep you coming back.
- Stay healthy. Nutritional therapy can help you to make sure you’re eating right. A personal trainer can help you to meet weight loss or maintenance goals and stay healthy. Taking yoga classes can help you to de-stress and remain focused in recovery. Your continued health and well-being should be a priority.
- Enroll in an educational workshop. Learning more about the nature of addiction, the effects of different substances on the body and mind, and potential treatment options can help you to make more informed choices during recovery.
- Include your family. If relationships were broken during active addiction or your marriage or partnership was impaired, it can help to bring you closer to those you hurt by including them in family therapy sessions.
Perhaps the most important tip of all: Don’t give up. When depression strikes, obstacles arise or a slip or relapse occurs, let nothing get in the way of a continued commitment to recovery.
Here at Axis, we can assist you in your journey toward recovery and overall wellness. Call now to learn more about the treatment services that can help you stay on the path to health and wellness.
