Upon successful completion of active addiction treatment, an important next step is learning how to promote sobriety in recovery. This starts with lifestyle habits and behaviors that underscore the fact that recovery from drug addiction is a lifelong process. Overcoming addiction doesn’t happen overnight, and eliminating drug and alcohol-related behaviors will require you to consider new habits entirely.
Here are five habits that promote sobriety and help you continue the recovery process to ultimately live a more rewarding existence free from substance abuse.
You’ll likely learn in early recovery treatment that overcoming an addiction to drugs is a lifelong commitment. While it may get easier as you use the tools you learned in addiction treatment, one of the best habits you can form is an ongoing commitment to your sobriety.
This looks different for everyone. Some people use their sobriety date as a way to recommit annually, monthly or even daily. Others may engage in small acts of celebration to note milestones in their addiction recovery journey. Whatever you decide to do to reinforce your commitment, remember that this is a journey you’ll be on for good.
You may also continue to work with licensed therapists in a counseling environment on co-occurring mental disorders that may contribute to the issues you’ve had with addiction. Avoiding relapse sometimes means routinely taking advantage of treatment options that keep you on the right path in terms of your health.
You’ll likely begin group therapy in treatment and continue it even after. The support network you gain from these meetings is invaluable. Support groups are the cornerstone of successful recovery and do wonders to help you prevent relapse, so this habit is one that will give you the best chance of successfully managing drug or alcohol addiction and avoiding relapse. Recovery meetings provide you an outlet to share any negative feelings you might have about your issues with substance use. They offer emotional support in the battle against addiction and will support sobriety even if you aren’t getting that help in other areas.
In some instances, attending a support group meeting when you’re having a moment of weakness or struggling with your mental health will give you the boost you need to keep going.
Taking care of yourself as a habit forms the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, especially for someone overcoming substance use disorder. After all, you’ve come so far in treatment to stay sober — so you certainly deserve to pamper yourself with some TLC. Some key methods are:
People struggling with addiction and recovery do best around like-minded people. One habit that will help you overcome addiction is seeking peer support that supports total abstinence from drugs and alcohol. You may find such support through group meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous.
However, long-term recovery means recovering individuals will also likely have to find peers outside of these structured spaces. Therefore, make it a habit to befriend those who support your sober life instead of those who try to derail it. Make sure the people you surround yourself with are as committed to your sobriety as you are, and eliminate any relationships with those struggling with addiction themselves.
If you’ve spent a significant portion of your life steeped in drug abuse or alcohol abuse, now’s the time to see what life has to offer. Consider embarking on a new hobby or learning a new skill. Travel, or seek new forms of self-expression. Take healthy risks in the name of progress to find yourself.
Engage in interests you’ve never tried before or delve deeper into hobbies you may have had before addiction took hold of your life. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with a family member or loved one who can give you some ideas. Be creative and focus on your talents or things that pique your interest.
In addition to habits that promote sobriety, ongoing recovery support from professionals, family and friends is essential to your success. This extends to forming relationships with sober friends, implementing coping skills as needed and doing whatever it takes to commit to staying sober.
Visit Transformations Mending Fences or call (888) 995-6013 to learn more about navigating sobriety during recovery from substance abuse.
