Once you’ve completed your recovery after rehab, you may find that it’s hard to get back into your normal routine. You may have developed new habits during your treatment that you didn’t have before, and this can make it hard to go back to the way things were before your addiction got out of control. Luckily, there are some simple ways to maintain your recovery after rehab so that you can stay on track and avoid relapse as much as possible.
Avoid Stigma
Unfortunately, many people associate recovery with going to rehab—and we all know that it’s much more than just a short-term stay in a residential treatment facility. Addiction is an insidious disease and often requires lifelong maintenance. If you’re ready to regain control of your life, head down a path of sobriety, and escape addiction once and for all, now might be an opportune time.
Look for What Works for You
It’s important that you find a method of maintaining your recovery that works for you. If going to group meetings keeps you on track, keep doing it. But if they don’t hold your interest, seek other ways of maintaining your sobriety and not feeling overwhelmed. There are so many programs out there—find what resonates with you and do more of it!
What Recovery Means To Me
We’ve all heard of recovery, whether it was in reference to drug or alcohol rehab or maybe some sort of functional rehab for a work-related injury. These words typically get thrown around as interchangeable and sometimes even metaphorical, but what does it mean to recover? To me, recovering is about being able to fully participate in life without fear that I might slip up and revert back into my old habits.
Accountability
The first few weeks of a new recovery program can be especially tough, since it’s easy to fall back into old habits if you’re not careful. One way people help avoid a relapse is by establishing accountability with their loved ones and sponsors. This doesn’t have to be complicated—you can simply ask someone in your life to check in on you regularly, or you could hold yourself accountable by using an app that allows you or others see where and when you use substances.
Surround Yourself With Positive Influences
When you’re in recovery, it can be hard not to associate with people who do drugs or drink. Even if they are your friends, they are likely not on a similar path as you and will likely negatively influence your journey. Surround yourself with people who support your sobriety and understand where you’re coming from—they’ll make things much easier for you in recovery.
Have Fun!
If you’re using your recovery as an excuse not to have fun anymore, then you’re definitely in trouble. The point of recovery is having a better life without drugs and alcohol, but there’s still so much about your old life that was great—like going out for drinks with friends or hitting up happy hour at work.
Set Goals and Reward Yourself!
You’ve been sober for a while, which is great. But as you continue on your journey, it’s important that you don’t lose sight of what recovery means to you. Take some time every week or so and think about your specific goals and milestones. What do you want out of your sobriety? What do you value in yourself that was damaged by drug use? How can you keep working toward that?
Stick to a Routine
Since you’ve completed your drug or alcohol treatment program, it’s vital that you stick to a routine—and that means no cutting corners. Structure and routine are two of recovery’s most important cornerstones; without them, your sobriety is at risk. Here are three tips for developing a solid routine.
