With a life of addiction, alcoholics and addicts live a dramatic life of secrecy, manipulation, and isolation. However, when entering recovery, a life of sobriety requires dramatic changes. Recovery requires a constant shift in patterns and behaviors that ultimately lead to a new lifestyle. While attending addiction treatment in Ohio for 30 days doesn’t change these patterns overnight, treatment cultivates the tools necessary to process old behaviors, learn new patterns, and develop new habits to turn maladaptive coping mechanisms into positive ones. According to a survey from the Partnership at Drugfree.org and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, one in 10 U.S. adults was at one time in recovery from drug or alcohol problems. In hindsight, recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, however, it does require a constant assessment and alteration of one’s feelings, and actions, and each person must start somewhere. Here are 7 things that people in recovery can do on a daily basis to maximize their chances for a lasting recovery.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!They Connect with A Higher Power
Whether it be praying, meditating, spending time with nature, or participating in another spiritual practice, many in recovery find that connecting with a form of a Higher Power can help maintain perspective, gain inspiration, and keep their recovery well-balanced. Praying can help those unburden stress, worries, fears and frustrations. Meditation can create a mindful state to keep gratitude at the forefront. While many in recovery find themselves leaning on a power greater than themselves for support, there are those who find other ways to gain perspective like attending more science based support groups, such as SMART recovery.
They Engage in Healthy Activity
Many treatment centers incorporate physical activity into their clinical schedules, which can help kickstart a new lifestyle. With a multitude of benefits, exercise in recovery not only has physical advantages, but mental. Incorporating exercise into a daily activity can not only alleviate stress, but return the body back to a healthy state by regulating sleep cycles and helping manage emotions, and even giving a boost to self-confidence. Getting exercise, any kind of exercise, is beneficial not just for your physical health but your state of mind.
They Find Ways to Give Back
Over time, many in recovery stress that taking the focus away from themselves and giving back to others can help create another sense of purpose and elevated state of happiness. A 2017 study found that giving and volunteering can help reduce stress and depression. Another report from the Corporation for National & Community Service stated that “those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.” Over the years, the recovery movement has created an emphasis on giving back to others in recovery as evidenced by addiction treatment centers in Ohio developing comprehensive alumni programs and support groups to provide sponsorship and mentoring as a way to not only help those in the beginning states of recovery, but to also keep their own perspectives fresh.
They Connect with Others
Addiction thrives in isolation. In early recovery, many learn to reach out for help and connection. Connecting with others in recovery on a personal level can help prevent isolation and help keep accountability afloat. There are some who learn to solidify this type of connection on a physical level by living in a sober living environment for a duration of time. There are others who choose to reach out to a sponsor or mentor on a daily basis.
They Find Ways To Have Fun
For many, a common fear when getting sober is not being able to have fun. However, it can be said that sobriety is the exact opposite. Finding new hobbies and learning how to have fun without drinking is crucial to maintaining lasting recovery. Whether it be taking a class, going to dinner with friends, learning a new skill, or joining a club, those who find lasting recovery find ways to fill their downtime with excitement and fun.
They Assess Their Day
Those in recovery make it a point to assess their day, learn from their mistakes, and improve upon them the next. Taking a stock check of the day and addressing old patterns as they arise, negative emotions and behaviors that may flair up, can help prevent relapse. While recovery is a balance, it’s also a continual journey to improve upon oneself on a daily basis.
They Make Recovery Their Priority
Overall, those in recovery keep their sobriety a priority on a daily basis, no matter what distractions and hardships may come up. At Lumiere Healing Centers, our full-service addiction treatment in Ohio teaches each client the tools necessary to live a productive life of lasting recovery. For more information, visit us at Lumierehealingcenters.com or call us confidentially today at 513-987-9392.
