The addiction recovery process can be challenging and arduous, but it doesn’t stop there. When someone recovers from addiction and is sober, rebuilding their life is not as easy as it seems.
Without proper guidance, someone who recovers from addiction can relapse, especially when they cannot withstand the withdrawal cravings and symptoms. Therefore, it is important to be intentional about what you do while you try to adjust to your normal life.
Here are some steps to take when you recover from addiction.
Take things slowly
One of the mistakes that some people make when rebuilding their lives after addiction is to jump right back into their activities. They fail to realize that the life after addiction is very much different from what they were used to.
Even though you feel energetic and ready to take on the world, it is important to begin with a moderate approach. When it comes to getting the best out of your addiction recovery, be prepared to take things slowly.
Make new sober friends
When you leave addiction treatment or rehab, it is important to sever all ties with sources that fuel addiction, including your old friends. Hanging out with these set of people can cause a setback to your addiction recovery.
Be intentional about making friends with sober people so that their good and healthy habits can rub off on you. They will also look out for you, ensuring that you don’t go back to your addiction habits.
Find new hobbies
When someone is addicted, their hobbies are mostly centered on their addiction. Hence, when they engage in those activities, they are likely to engage in their addiction. After addiction recovery, you can get back on track by finding new hobbies to keep you engaged and fulfilled.
Set smaller and more realistic goals
Work towards breaking your goals into smaller ones, so that they can be easy to achieve. Quit setting far-fetched goals that might be difficult to meet. Your goals should be SMART- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.