One of the hardest things for anyone struggling with addiction to do is admit that it’s time to seek help. But once you have made that decision, entered rehab, and successfully completed the program, you are ready to resume your life and get back to a routine.
But getting sober and staying sober are two completely different challenges. Many recovering addicts feel anxiety and a sense of overwhelming when reentering normal daily life.
As with any drug recovery program, you will learn the tools to get sober and stay sober. But here are a few tips to help keep you from relapsing:
1. Continue Practicing Self-Care
Taking care of your physical well-being goes a long way in aiding your mental and emotional health, which is critical to remaining sober. This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and getting the proper amount of rest each night at the detox center los angeles.
2. Take Your HALT Inventory
HALT stands for:
- Hungry
- Angry
- Lonely
- Tired
Wherever you feel the desire to use, examine whether you are feeling any of these symptoms. These are common triggers to relapse.
3. Practice Regular Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation goes beyond typical meditation practices in the sense that it teaches you to become more self-aware. This aids your continued drug recovery by allowing you to analyze your behavior more deeply.
4. Understand and Avoid Your Triggers
Although we mentioned the HALT method earlier, there are many other triggers that can cause relapse and some that are unique to each individual. Common triggers include:
Internal Triggers
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Stress
- Low self-esteem
External Triggers
- Old acquaintances
- Places where you used or purchased drugs
- Activities you associate with drug use
5. Enroll in a Support Group
This might seem like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised to find out how many former addicts bypass this step on the assumption they no longer need the tools and techniques learned in group therapy.
6. Practice Grounding Techniques
This helps to deal not only with the anxiety and stress that can arise from trying to stay sober but also from daily life. Simply use your 5 senses in a countdown method:
- Notice 5 things around you that you can see
- Notice 4 things around you that you can touch
- Notice 3 things around you that you can hear
- Notice 2 things around you that you can smell
- Notice 1 thing around you that you can taste
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
When all else fails, there is no reason to try and go it alone. Whether it’s a family member or friend, a sponsor, or another recovering addict, reach out to someone who can help you get through the difficult time.
Take Control of Your Drug Recovery and Ongoing Sobriety
Even when you are struggling with your day-to-day or even moment-to-moment sobriety, remember that you already have all the tools you need after completing your rehab program. Following these tips can help you walk the long and rewarding road of health and wellness.
