Addiction recovery can be difficult, and relapses are not desirable, but they are a natural part of the process. Despite this, certain factors can increase your chances of long-term sobriety and success in your recovery journey.
Making the transition from rehab to the real world can be intimidating and frightening. While you’ll have tons of support from your rehab facilities staff, setting personal recovery goals is essential as you might be uncertain of what lies ahead.
Creating a plan for after rehab can help you overcome obstacles you might face and help you stay on track with sobriety. Our substance abuse treatment center in Los Angeles can help you maintain and create long-term sobriety after rehab.
Successful Tips for Long-Term Sobriety
Our whole lives are made of decisions, large or small. It can be as simple as deciding what to eat for breakfast or moving across the country for a new job.
Making a decision not to use no matter what is one of the most significant decisions an individual in recovery can make. A sober plan is a great way to practice sobriety after recovery. Here are six tips for success in recovery.
Avoid Old Routines and Habits
One of the most important and first steps you should take is to avoid old routines and habits. Quitting drugs or alcohol choice is one thing; now it’s time to leave that environment that forced you down that path.
Hanging around the same people, places and not making any changes in your circumstances will make sobriety that much harder.
If you are using drugs or getting them from others, you will need to change your habits immediately. It’s impossible to stay sober if you hang out with your drug dealer or old drinking buddies all the time.
Once you’ve got rid of old routines and habits, you can identify goals.
Identify Goals
Before writing your recovery action plan, you should identify your primary recovery goals. What do you want to get out of this plan you’re making?
Some questions you can ask yourself can include:
- Why do I want to make this change?
- What are some challenges I’ll be facing?
- Am I sure I can commit to this plan?
Answering these questions requires total transparency and honesty. Recovery is a long road, so making sure you answer these questions to the best of your ability will ensure you’re true to yourself. Your long-term success will be harmed if you answer these questions dishonestly.
Build a Support System
Staying sober isn’t something you should have to do alone. Surrounding yourself with the people you love and trust the most will help you during and after your recovery journey.
It should be people you trust to be there for you during difficult times. It can also include people you’ve met through recovery, such as people from AA meetings, your sponsor, or other sober individuals.
Recognize Triggers
Knowing what makes you more susceptible to relapse is vital to long-term sobriety. These triggers can be anything from people, places, or things to activities, times, or mental health disorders.
If you don’t know which of these are triggers ahead of time, you won’t be prepared for them when they happen and will be unable to manage them appropriately.
Establish Boundaries
Establishing boundaries can go hand in hand with recognizing triggers. Keep your sobriety as your top priority by putting strict limitations in place. Avoidance behavior has been recognized as one of the most successful ways to prevent addiction relapses.
Avoiding emotional issues, relationships, and even finances may not be healthy, but it is an effective way to prevent relapse. These boundaries will help you be able to avoid some of your more disturbing triggers effectively.
Find a New Hobby
Finding a new hobby can provide a lot of benefits to your recovery. It can mean a new distraction, a severe passion, or simply a new leisure activity.
It can open up new doors for you you didn’t know there, like meeting new friends or finding out that you’ve been good at that certain something. Participating in new activities gives you the ability to grow as a person while working on your sober self.
Addiction Treatment with No Matter What Recovery
Sobriety is not a smooth road. It’s a process filled with a lot of setbacks and road bumps.
To achieve success in your recovery from alcoholism or substance abuse, you should incorporate several effective strategies. Remember to put yourself first and seek a supportive community.
If you or a loved one need help with substance use and addiction, contact us today to learn how to help.
