Substitute Addictions Can Be Sneaky
If you attended an addiction treatment centre then you are probably aware of the dangers of substituting alcohol for another drug of choice or vice versa which is why complete abstinence from all substances is recommended. As well, it is important to be aware of the less talked about process addictions such as gambling, food, shopping, sex, or love that can also be used to fulfil the void of your previous addiction.
Develop A Support System
Whether youre working alone on your recovery or youre taking part in a formal support program like Alcoholics Anonymous, youll still need to surround yourself with supportive people. Make sure family members understand the challenges you face and how they can help you in your recovery. Try to identify one or two close friends or family members who can act as a sounding board about the stress and problems youre dealing with. If you cant find support people within your own network, consider reaching out to a local church or a formal support group for recommendations about resources in your community.
Take A Look At Free Events Around
No matter where you live, there are usually at least a few completely free events in your area that you can check out. These can consist of anything from your local botanical gardens holding a nighttime holiday event to free concerts in the summer. Especially in Tampa, there are many things to do, even if it might take a little extra research on Facebook to find things you like doing.
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Never Tell A Recovering Addict Cant You Just Stop Taking Drugs Once And For All
Did you know that going cold turkey is extremely dangerous for a recovering addict? Studies have repeatedly shown that going cold turkey is the least successful method of recovery.
One of the reasons why you must not bring up this topic is the fact that it could put the persons health at risk. To help ensure the safety of a recovering drug addict, always remind him or her to hang out with people who can provide positive influences.
Most important, always advise the person to stick to his or her detox program for a successful recovery. It is also important to find a detox facility that offers a holistic program to help the person rebuild a new life and reconnect with friends and family.
If you urgently need professional guidance and medical assistance for substance abuse, consult a medical expert who can immediately provide you with sound and up-to-date information. Seek the expert recommendations of well-known and trusted addiction specialists in your area.
Dangers Of Boredom And Spare Time
Boredom and spare time are not beneficial to those in recovery and can lead to relapse. Boredom is considered the most common relapse trigger. It can lead to depression, irritability, anger, and isolation which can lead to an increase in cravings and thoughts of reusing.
The better way to look at boredom is that it is not a problem, it is, in fact, an opportunity. A chance to rediscover who you are and adjust to your changed circumstances.
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Things You Should Never Say To An Addict/alcoholic In Recovery
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This list is pretty self-explanatory. These are 15 things you should never say to an addict/alcoholic in recovery. Just dont.
#1. What made you start using drugs?
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Really? Are you playing therapist? For some recovering alcoholics and addicts, this can be a very personal question. We may have experienced trauma and turned to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Sometimes, we really dont know why. We just felt like it. Doubtful that any normie would understand that, though.
#2. Weed isnt a drug.
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Um, actually it is. People often say, well, its natural from the earth. So is cocaine , beer , vodka , heroin you get the picture. Marijuana is in fact a mood- and mind-altering substance. It might be OK for you to smoke it but, Ill just pass.
#3. Whats the worst thing you did?
Again, a pretty personal question. And why do you need to know? For gossip, Im sure. If youre not a recovering addict or alcoholic, you just wouldnt understand what addiction can do to a person.
#4. One drink is okay.
via wifflegif.com
You wouldnt understand this but, its never just one drink. One drink leads to many, many more drinks and maybe even an eight ball of coke. So no, one drink is not okay. Definitely not.
#5. What about your wedding?
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What about my wedding? I dont need alcohol to toast my marriage to make it legit. Fact.
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Regular Behaviors That Support Recovery From Addiction Become Healthy Habits
Likewise, a person who is practicing successful recovery makes lifestyle changes that are conducive to long-term sobriety. This typically means changing the people, places, thoughts, and things that were part of their actively-addicted life. This is not easily done. The bad habits that support addiction may have been practice for years even decades. Like any other part of recovery, it can mean taking baby steps and having faith in the process. 12-step recovery groups have two sayings that might be worth remembering easy does it and fake it until you make it . Creating a new habit takes time. There is an established relationship between practicing a behavior and it becoming automatic. A study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology indicates that it takes an average of 66 days to establish a new habit. For a person in recovery, this is actually a convenient time length. Research has shown again and again that a person who stays in a structured recovery program for 90 days or longer has a much better chance at maintaining their sobriety that a person who remains for a shorter time. Think about that in practical terms. The first two months of the recovery process can be spent learning new behaviors, and then the third month can be used to put those behaviors into practice.
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Treat Yourself To A Quiet Relaxing Evening At Home
Do you know whats a really good time once in a while? Not leaving your house. Plenty of pointers consisted of things like Netflix n Chill with your significant other, making a pot roast and chilling on your sofa, throwing on comfortable clothes while you drink your night cup of chamomile, and just taking part in some sort of quiet time. You do not need to have an insane, wild party life any longer. You also do not need to make-believe like that life was fulfilling, either. Appreciate the quiet while you can.
Learning A New Professional Skill
In addition to pursuing hobbies and passion projects, another way to increase feelings of accomplishment during recovery is by learning a new professional skill.
This could be anything from learning how to code to becoming fluent in a foreign language. Many resources exist online to help you get started, such as YouTube videos and tutorial articles.
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How Do Behavioral Therapies Treat Drug Addiction
Behavioral therapies help people in drug addiction treatment modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use. As a result, patients are able to handle stressful situations and various triggers that might cause another relapse. Behavioral therapies can also enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment longer.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to help patients recognize, avoid, and cope with the situations in which they’re most likely to use drugs.
- Contingency management uses positive reinforcement such as providing rewards or privileges for remaining drugfree, for attending and participating in counseling sessions, or for taking treatment medications as prescribed.
- Motivational enhancement therapy uses strategies to make the most of people’s readiness to change their behavior and enter treatment.
- Family therapy helps people with drug use problems, as well as their families, address influences on drug use patterns and improve overall family functioning.
- Twelve-step facilitation is an individual therapy typically delivered in 12 weekly session to prepare people to become engaged in 12-step mutual support programs. 12-step programs, like Alcoholic Anonymous, are not medical treatments, but provide social and complementary support to those treatments. TSF follows the 12-step themes of acceptance, surrender, and active involvement in recovery.
Obtain Support For Yourself
Just as the individual in recovery will require support from family and friends, it will also be important for family members to have support.
Many family support groups can provide encouragement to help people cope with the emotional and physical stress that can accompany supporting an individual in recovery. Counseling can also be helpful as you adjust to your loved ones sobriety. Online forums, such as the one on this site, can be an additional form of support. You can meet people who understand what you are going through and can offer advice based on similar experiences.
Seeking support for yourself can also have an additional benefit. When your recovering family member sees you asking for support, they may be more likely to seek out support on their own in the form of recovery and aftercare support services.
Receive 24/7 text support at your convenience with American Addiction Centers. Our team is well prepared to advise on all things treatment and help you find the care you need. Weve helped thousands recover from addiction and we can help you too.
Support Groups for Friends and Family
Below are a few different support groups designed for the friends and family members of recovering addicts:
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Things To Avoid During Addiction Recovery
Anyone who has made it to the recovery stage of a drug or alcohol addiction has a lot to be proud of. Having recognized their dependency and taken the time and dedication to become clean, the last thing anyone wants is for that person to experience a relapse.
During recovery, it is important that an individual has a strong support system, as well as the ability to recognize triggers and temptations. Something as simple as a certain place or emotion can cause individuals to crave their old habits, and the strength to reject these cravings is critical to an addiction-free life.
To help recovering addicts, there are some specific factors to avoid, which are more likely to sway an individual to use again. To fight addiction, the following are things to avoid during addiction recovery.
Identify Tempting Places And Situations
Most recovered addicts can name several places where they used to frequent to use drugs or to drink alcohol. For many people, these places need to be off-limits after recovery. Falling back into old routines with the same friends and situations is too tempting for many people. If, for example, you previously went to a particular night club on a Saturday night where you drank to excess, you shouldnt go there now. It might seem like a good way to challenge yourself to prove you can avoid the temptation, but being back in the same club with the same people can have devastating consequences especially if alcohol or drugs are easy to access at these places.
Instead, consider making a list of the places in your town where you previously drank or used drugs and then avoid visiting them altogether. You might be able to find alternatives to these places. For example, if you were part of a bowling league that included low-cost pitchers of beer, find out if there is a different bowling alley in your area that has alcohol-free nights. Living a sober life doesnt mean youll have to quit all of your favorite activities, but youll need to make modifications to ensure youre not being tempted.
Staying true to your sobriety is more important than putting yourself in harms way.
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Sober Support Systems & Relapse Prevention
Many people find it difficult to fill their time after becoming sober. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol often spend a significant amount of their time getting, using, or recovering from using the drug.1 Once they are no longer using drugs or alcohol, boredom might set in if they dont have things to fill their time. Apathy is a common relapse trigger for many people.2
One of the ways to prevent relapse and avoid boredom is to have a strong social support network.
While you were in rehab, you likely had a support network of people who were recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Once you are back home, you may no longer have the same support network. People that you previously used drugs or alcohol with may start coming around again. Being around people who use is a major trigger for relapse.2
If you are recovering from a substance addiction, it is essential to find a support network of people who do not use and will help you by providing encouragement and support when you need it the most. They can help you by providing a distraction when you experience a craving to use.2
Mutual support or self-help groups are a great option for people who are in substance abuse recovery. These groups help provide emotional and social support for people throughout their recovery journey.3 Mutual support groups are an excellent adjunct to professional treatment, as they help extend and complement the benefits of rehab.4
Fun Sober Activities To Brighten Up Your Recovery
So, youve made it through the hard part. Youve completed your treatment in a recovery center and youre ready to start building your new, sober life. But its not quite as easy as that. Your old hobbies, friends, and habits might not fit your new lifestyle. You need to find some fun sober activities. Dont worry, youre not alone.
For many addicts, their social lives and leisure time before they entered recovery centered entirely around using or drinking.
Many of your friends may still spend most of their time off at bars, watching sports games or taking advantage of happy hours. While theres nothing wrong with that, for someone who has recently entered recovery it can seem daunting to have to hang out at bars with friends who are still drinking. It can also be risky putting yourself in that situation too early in your recovery. So what do sober people do for fun?
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Keep A Gratitude Journal
Journaling has a long-established history as a tool for self-discovery and healing. Journal therapy is a part of many kinds of counseling and group work, but anyone can use a journal to explore feelings, process events, and create conditions for change. For people working toward recovery, a journal can be a place to track progress, uncover causes for addiction, and figure out new ways of dealing with stressful situations. It can also be a way to cultivate gratitude.
If youre already using a journal to support your recovery, you can add a gratitude section or allot part of every entry to record things that youre grateful for that day. You may also want to create a dedicated gratitude journal to keep you focused.
In your journal, take time to note down the things and events of the day that youre grateful for. Whether its a chance to sleep a little later in the morning or a meeting with an old friend, note it down. Include as many gratitude-inspiring things as you can in each session. Your entries create a picture of all the positive things in your life that you may never have noticed while using drugs or alcohol.
Take Care Of Yourself Too
Having problems with substance use is a chronic illness. It not only affects the person who is suffering, but everyone close to them. Family and friends often place the needs of their loved one above their own. That can result in a lack of self-care, increased illness and sometimes struggles with depression and anxiety.
Taking care of your own physical, emotional and mental needs first will make you better equipped to help your loved one through the difficult journey of recovery. As the old phrase goes, You cant pour from an empty cup. There are also many support groups for families that can provide care and community as you navigate this challenging role.
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Be A Tourist In Your Home Town
Tourist attractions provide lots of opportunities to have fun, especially if youve never experienced them before. What better way to enjoy yourself and learn more about your hometown than to visit museums, attend local music shows, or soak up the delicious food and ambiance of a farmers market? You can also stop by a zoo or botanical garden, go on a guided tour, or discover a new local wildlife preserve or park. Not only will you learn more about your local area, but youll also have the opportunity to meet new people.
Dont Let Relapse Keep You Down
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is frustrating and discouraging, it can be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, identify additional triggers, and correct your treatment course.
What causes relapse?
Different triggers can put you at risk of relapsing into old patterns of substance use. While specific causes of relapse differ from person to person, some common triggers include:
- Negative emotional state
- Positive emotional state
- Physical discomfort
- Trying to test your personal control
- Strong temptation or urge
- Social pressure
The important thing to remember is that relapse doesnt mean drug treatment failure. Dont give up. Call your sponsor, talk to your therapist, go to a meeting, or schedule an appointment with your doctor. When youre sober again and out of danger, look at what triggered the relapse, what went wrong, and what you could have done differently. You can choose to get back on the path to recovery and use the experience to strengthen your commitment.
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