Addiction is a health crisis that needs and deserves public attention. However, sometimes focusing on the tragedies related to substance use disorder can distract from the hope of recovery. One study estimated that around 75% of people who seek recovery meet their goals.1 The Desert Cove Recovery treatment center team in AZ understands that long-term wellness doesn’t happen by chance.
Recovery requires evidence-based treatments, ongoing support, and a willingness to build a new life. After completing a treatment program, each individual must learn how to break potentially destructive habits and create new ones that support a sober lifestyle. This process can seem intimidating, but it’s an opportunity to get reacquainted with the most important person in your recovery journey: yourself.
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4 Ways to Support Your Sober Lifestyle
Seeking addiction treatment is one of the most courageous and positive things a person can do. As challenging as it is to face withdrawal symptoms, participate in therapy, and learn the skills needed to live without alcohol and drugs, completing treatment is only the start of living a sober life.
Sometimes, it can feel like you’re in the struggle alone, but you’re not. Experts estimate that 48.7 million people in the U.S. have had a substance disorder in the past year.2 Ending the behavioral patterns that support drug addiction isn’t easy, but it’s possible. Completing a treatment program is the first step. These tips will help you create and maintain a healthy lifestyle after rehab.
1. Build a Support Network
One thing almost every treatment center in AZ agrees on is that few people can maintain sobriety on their own. A support network is one of the most essential tools for creating a sober lifestyle. By the time many people enter treatment, they’ve become estranged from supportive family members and friends. The only people they may know are those who share their addictions and unhealthy behaviors.
Building a new social circle often starts with attending peer-led support meetings like AA. There, you can meet others who are committed to sobriety and find an instant network. These groups often host sober holiday gatherings and other events to foster a deeper sense of community.
Rebuilding damaged relationships is vital to building a support network. Although it can seem impossible at first, healing can happen when loved ones see that you are serious about recovery and committed to self-growth. Invite them to join you for counseling sessions or to attend family events hosted by your 12-step group.
2. Try New Things
When addiction overtakes a person’s life, they often stop engaging in activities they once loved. It’s possible you may once again enjoy old hobbies, but you may find that the “new you” is no longer interested in those activities. Too much time alone could lead to the return of risky habits.
Instead, take a free or low-cost course at the community college. Join a hiking club. Learn to paint. Sobriety offers an opportunity to learn more about yourself and explore things you always wanted to try. Learning new things can sometimes be uncomfortable, but studies show discomfort boosts mental health and motivates personal growth.3 So take that improv class; not only will you have fun and meet new people, but it just might help you live a sober life.
3. Establish a Healthy Daily Routine
Spending the majority of your time acquiring substances, using substances, and recovering from substance use is how many people with addiction disorders spend their days before treatment. People with severe and prolonged addiction issues may be starting from scratch when it comes to learning a daily routine.
A daily routine doesn’t have to mean every moment of the day is structured. Leaving time for spontaneity is essential. However, many people who are new in recovery find that a reliable routine brings a sense of security to their new life. Consider these suggestions to help regulate your day:
- Include morning rituals like journal writing, meditation, or other holistic mindfulness practices
- Plan healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Set aside some time every day for movement and exercise
- Keep a sleep schedule to promote restorative sleep and good brain health
- Make time for hobbies, socializing, and downtime
Habits like these are basic self-care practices that support mental and physical health and can help you reduce the risk of relapse.4
4. Follow Healthcare Recommendations
People with co-occurring disorders such as depression will have a more difficult time maintaining sobriety without proper mental health treatment. If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health issue or a physical health issue such as chronic pain, follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment.
Remaining sober is already a challenge, but doing so while struggling with anxiety or pain is unnecessarily tricky. Don’t sabotage your sobriety by stopping treatments because you “feel better.” Always consult with your healthcare providers before making changes to your treatment plan.
Find More Suggestions at the Desert Cove Recovery Treatment Center in AZ
Sobriety begins in a treatment program, but it takes more than a single program to change your life. You can build a sober lifestyle that supports recovery by connecting with a support network, trying new things, practicing healthy self-care habits, and following your doctor’s recommendations for ongoing treatment of co-occurring conditions.
If you are “sober curious” or struggling to live a sober life, the team at Desert Cove Recovery can help. Contact Desert Cove Recovery today for more information about our treatment programs and support resources.
Sources:
[1] https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/millions-americans-in-united-states-report-recovery-from-substance-use-problem/ [2] https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20231113/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-nsduh-data [3] https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/obsonline/2022-may-embracing-discomfort.html [4] https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/reducing-relapse-risk.asp
