People who are struggling with addiction and are on the road to recovery need to avoid relapsing. This can be difficult at the beginning of the process, but becomes easier as time goes on. However, the best way to fight a potential relapse is to create a prevention plan. But how do you go about formulating one of these programs? Here are some tips to get you started.
Set realistic goals
You ultimately want to make a full recovery from your addiction, but along the way, it is wise to set benchmarks to track your progress. Set goals like “five days sober, ten days sober,” and so on. By breaking it into smaller increments, you will find it easier to stay on course. A group of small success can make for an outstanding final accomplishment.
Find support
Don’t think that you have to go through recovery alone. There are countless people willing to help you, whether it is your friends, your family, or fellow people on the road to sobriety. Get in touch with sobriety recovery groups and find out how they can help you cope with the process. Having a support system close is a great way to prevent yourself from relapsing.
Keep a journal
A physical journal may be your best option for exercising an effective relapse prevention plan. Record your feelings and activities each day. Track what works for you and what keeps you grounded during your recovery. This will help you feel accountable for yourself and provide you a private sanctuary to mention your struggles. Write down encouraging quotes to ease your mind and encourage you to keep going.
Make new friends
Even if you have an army of friends by your side, it never hurts to make more. Speak to other people who have faced similar issues and find a way to bond with them. Just because you are working towards sobriety does not mean you cannot be social. The bigger your support system, the less likely you will relapse. Always find a way to make new friends.
Stay healthy
Treat your body right during your recovery. A healthy body will have a better chance at maintaining sobriety. Get eight hours of sleep, eat a balanced meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and try to work out. If you are out of shape, slowly work towards improving your body. Even a brisk 30-minute walk can enhance your body both physically and mentally. Don’t underestimate the power of a good workout.
Be wary of triggers
If you are just leaving a rehab facility for the first time, you should be aware of the triggers in everyday life. Remove as many triggers from your life as possible, whether it is stress, negative influences, or toxic connections. Find healthy alternatives to these triggers and try to distract yourself from anything that can drive you to relapse.
Be grateful
Keep a “gratitude list” on you at all times. This is a list of things you are grateful for, such as your family, your friends, your job, your pets, your home, or anything else. Look at the list periodically or whenever you feel depressed. Simply visualizing everything that is great in your life can make a huge difference in your recovery.
It’s difficult fighting the temptation to relapse, but it is not impossible. As long as you have the right plan in place, you can avoid a potential relapse and ease your transition to sobriety. If you would like to learn more about building a plan, contact Chapters Capistrano at 949-276-2886.
