Completing 30, 90, or more days of rehab is one of the most challenging and amazing things you will ever accomplish. People who seek treatment for alcohol or substance use disorders have every reason to celebrate their achievements. A treatment center is a safe place surrounded by support and resources. Once it’s time to leave the security of rehab in Arizona, it’s natural to worry about maintaining your sobriety.
Addiction is considered to be a chronic disease. Like other chronic illnesses, relapse is a concern. The statistics on relapse can be frightening, but according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, relapse rates for substance use disorders are lower than those for asthma or hypertension.[1]
You can take many steps to protect your sobriety after completing treatment. Adopting healthy new habits is part of rediscovering who you are without the heavy chains of addiction holding you down.
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Understanding Relapse During Rehab in Arizona
The first step in maintaining long-term recovery is understanding that relapse doesn’t simply happen out of the blue. There are three distinct stages of relapse, and only the last one involves using drugs or drinking alcohol.[2]
Emotional Relapse
Emotional relapse typically begins long before you are actively thinking about using a substance. A lack of self-care may leave you feeling drained, unhappy, or restless. These feelings of discontent set the stage for the return of old habits.
Mental Relapse
Mental relapse is when you begin thinking about or craving substances. During this stage, many people start minimizing the seriousness of their addiction use disorder and glamorizing the “good times” they once had.
Physical Relapse
The final stage of relapse is when you return to substance use. Fortunately, you can avoid this stage if you are aware that you’re experiencing an emotional or mental relapse. Improving your daily routine or participating in short-term outpatient treatment are effective ways to stay on track with your health goals.
Top Healthy Habits to Maintain Sobriety
People who are struggling with addiction must take extra good care of their physical and mental health. Fortunately, the new habits that support sobriety are enjoyable and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. The following suggestions will help you avoid mental relapse and maintain sobriety for the rest of your life.
Identify Your Triggers
What makes you feel vulnerable, tired, or emotionally out of balance? Triggers can be both external and internal. Going to a place that serves alcohol is an example of an external trigger for some people. Dwelling on past mistakes might be an internal trigger for others.
You can’t avoid the things that put your sobriety at risk if you don’t know what they are. Some of the common triggers for people with a substance use disorder include:
- Being around old friends who are still actively misusing substances
- Stress
- Physical or emotional pain
- Loneliness, feeling isolated
- Relationship problems
When assessing your triggers, don’t judge yourself or think something is too trivial to be a real problem. Even something as simple as a rainy day can trigger the desire for substance use. Once you have identified triggers, the next step is to plan for when they arise.
Be Prepared
Knowing your weaknesses is only half the battle. What will you do when you feel triggered? Having a physical list of positive actions will help. You might choose to call a sober friend or your 12-step sponsor. Other ideas include writing in your journal, walking, or having a healthy dinner out.
Whatever actions help ease your stress and keep your attitude positive are worth exploring.
Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle During and After Rehab in Arizona
Letting yourself become mentally or physically rundown is dangerous when you are recovering from a substance use disorder. A healthy lifestyle can help you maintain energy and stay excited about your new sober life.
Some lifestyle choices to consider include:
- Eat a healthy diet that consists of a variety of fresh foods
- Get regular physical activity that you enjoy
- Practice mindfulness by meditating, journaling, or taking a yoga class
- Be of service to others
- Practice good sleep hygiene and get an adequate amount of restorative rest
- Take care of your physical appearance with good grooming
- Get regular medical and dental checkups
- Try new activities
- Meet with sober friends for fun
Depending on the duration and severity of your substance use disorder, it can take many months to regain your health. Every healthy step you take now reduces stress and supports long-term recovery.
Be Honest
Being honest with yourself is one of the most challenging habits to cultivate but also one of the most important. Downplaying cravings, avoiding sober friends, or pretending you are not falling back into old unhealthy habits are sure ways to sabotage your sobriety.
Find Rehab in Arizona
If you or someone you care about is looking for an effective, compassionate rehab in Arizona, Desert Cove is here to help. Not all treatment programs are equal. At Desert Cove, we understand that getting sober is only part of the battle. We offer comprehensive extended care services to ensure you have the support you need long after initial treatment.
Contact Desert Cove Recovery today to learn more about our services, including inpatient treatment.
Sources:
[1] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery [2] https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/substance-use-disorder/stages-of-relapse
