So, you made the decision to put your life on hold for 28 days + to complete substance use treatment. But now, what do I need to do for continued success?
In treatment you learned how to create a daily schedule, how to find resources for additional support, and developed healthier habits, and now, you are ready to take the next step and apply all of this at home. Start simple… eat, sleep, exercise. Repeat.
Your first step is to start a routine of self-care. Although you began this in treatment, it is harder to keep up with a regimen in the “real world,” especially since you have the choice to not follow through. Think: who can you bring into your support circle to hold you accountable? Who could you go for a walk with or meet for coffee?
The second thing to do is think of creating your “village.” It takes a village to raise a child and the same principle is true for recovery. Find support groups in your area. You may have reservations about doing this at first, but there are plenty of online options and a variety of different groups out there that will meet your individual needs. Research shows that support groups increase your likelihood of sustained recovery, and going to a few meetings could really make a difference on your path to sobriety. Just go. Ask other members what helped them and what didn’t. Or, just listen and breathe.
Third, make sure you understand PAWS, Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, link to PAWS blog, and the associated symptoms. The cluster of symptoms associated with this syndrome can last up to a year or more and can contribute to relapse. It is so important to understand what is going on with your body during early recovery in order to develop a plan to manage symptoms and prevent frustration.
The last thing to do for now is to think outside the box. Look into a new hobby or interest. Now is the time to get creative and learn how to do something you have always wanted to do or research something that interests you. Boredom can be a trigger – so stay busy! You may have had lots of interests that got pushed aside due to your busy schedule of substance abuse, but now that your calendar has opened up, find new ways to fill it! You can also look into less traditional types of therapy, such as; equine, music, art, acupuncture, reiki and yoga to name a few.
Often, the majority of a person’s stay at a rehab facility is spent trying to clear the “brain fog,” or that feeling of having cloudy thoughts, and to allow the body to heal and get stronger. Rehab is a safe resting place, providing a foundation for good habits to form and to gain knowledge about your new life in recovery. Now that you are home, your brain and your body are ready to learn new skills and habits that will last a lifetime.
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