Addiction is a chronic disease and a chemical dependency. When someone who struggles with drug or alcohol addiction begins the journey to recovery, one of the first steps is to begin primary treatment. This is followed by rehabilitation. Primary treatment programs typically take place over a period of four to six weeks, although there are also long-term treatment programs.
Recovery is a lifelong process. However, numerous reports show that a step-by-step recovery plan can help those who are struggling to beat addiction for good. Work on integrating recovery methods and tips into your life. While recovery is continuous, living without drugs and alcohol is more than possible.
How to Maintain Recovery
There are a number of things you can do to promote long-term recovery.
1. Accept the Help of Others
Addiction is often a secretive and dangerous condition. Addicts hide their drug or alcohol use from those closest to them. However, in primary treatment, addicts begin to learn to open up and accept help from medical professionals and counselors in charge of their program. In recovery, addicts need to continue to accept the help of others.
Twelve-step meetings are often strongly encouraged, if not required, in sober living. Meetings are a great way to develop connections with others and accept help from group members and a sponsor. Recovery needs the support of others.
2. Be an Active Participant in Therapy
In part, addiction stems from a need to escape. So therapy can be a challenge because it requires the exact opposite. It needs individuals to be present, to engage, and to address their addiction. This involves challenging work discussing painful, traumatic events and feelings, which many people would rather run from.
To keep recovery on track, it is important to be open and honest in therapy. In individual counseling, despite the discomfort, you must try to keep up an equal exchange. Do not sit there passively and let the minutes tick by. Do not let the therapist do all the talking. If your therapist asks a question that makes you uncomfortable, express your unease, and uncover the reasons why. This may reveal deeper feelings and conflicts, which need to be addressed.
Listen and try to respond as much as you can. Share your feelings. Share your doubts. Share your worries about life without the use of substances. This is where permanent healing begins.
3. Attend 12-Step Meetings Regularly
To keep recovery on track, it is important to attend twelve-step meetings regularly. Whether it’s Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, group scenarios can help get you through bumps in the road. You will meet other recovering addicts, hear similar stories, and find support through shared understanding.
While twelve-step meetings have open attendance and are free, regular participants are recovering addicts themselves. Regular attendance creates a routine, builds relationships, creates trust, and provides invaluable healing. They encourage acceptance, humility, and honesty. It is a safe place to express your struggles and frustrations while learning more about addiction through multiple perspectives.
4. Find a Wellness Activity
Developing a routine with healthy habits and structure is an important component in keeping recovery on track. Holistic practices like yoga, mindfulness training, spirituality, and transcendental meditation help recovering addicts manage stress, heal, and, most importantly, teach people to be present. Addiction is rooted in the need for escape. Calming wellness activities teach the opposite. People learn to focus their thoughts and actions on the here and now.
5. Stay Aware of Cues and Triggers
Another way to keep recovery on track is to stay aware of social cues that may result in a relapse. While those residing in sober living residences may have a lesser risk, anyone in recovery is subject to triggers. Uncovering past experiences, trauma, and painful memories will help an addict understand their specific trigger points.
6. Be Cognizant of Social Sources
In recovery, it is important to be aware of the dangers of certain social influences. Sober living eliminates harmful people of the outside world; however, recovering addicts will return to the regular world eventually.
Understanding how social influences can affect addiction is key. Whether at work or social gatherings, it is important to put yourself first. Have a contingency plan and a rehearsed reason prepared for any stressful situation.
When it comes to maintaining sobriety, you come first. If the challenge of interacting with social circles becomes unmanageable, it is always best to avoid those scenarios entirely.
7. Develop a Routine
Once primary treatment is over, it is important to develop a routine that can help maintain abstinence. Keeping a complete schedule, complete with 12-step meetings, therapy, hobbies, and work, can keep the harmful lures of returning to substance abuse at bay.
Keep recovery on track by setting daily times to wake up and sleep, exercise, journal, work and participate in recovery programs. Creating a positive routine helps keep negative activities out.
8. Be Patient
Addiction recovery is a step-by-step process. It is important to take it one day at a time and to be extremely patient with yourself. Take advantage of numerous recovery programs like free 12-step programs and other support groups. Find a therapist that you connect with, seek the support of trusted individuals (like a sponsor), and practice self-care.
9. Let Go of Shame
Substance addiction is a health and mental health issue. So, it is important to let go of any shame over past mistakes. Talking about residual shame with peers or a therapist heals the inner workings of addiction. It is crucial to leave the past in the past while looking at the possibilities ahead.
Reach Out to Westwind Recovery® for Help
At Westwind Recovery®, we’ll help you create a plan for the future. In our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, we offer personalized care for drug and alcohol addiction in a private, resort-like setting. Find the support you need to heal. Reach out to Westwind to learn more at 855.340.8832.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
