While addiction recovery might seem complicated, it’s not out of your control. But it does take commitment. A few common principles, or rules, from NIH (National Library of Health) can be helpful on the path to recovery. If you ever question if you are on the right track, check if you are following these five rules.
1. Change your life
2. Be completely honest
3. Ask for help
4. Practice self-care
5. Don’t bend the rules
1. Change Your Life
This involves making a firm decision to prioritize sobriety and maintain a lifestyle free from substances. It often requires changing your lifestyle and setting boundaries, avoiding triggers, and making conscious choices that support the recovery journey.
Not everything in your life has to change, but avoiding high-risk situations and steering clear of triggers like people, places, and things where you are tempted to use is important to sobriety.
Avoid being around substance abuse or people who participated in the addictive behavior with you, regardless of whether or not they are still using. Likewise, it’s best to avoid certain places that remind you of your addiction.
When you're reminded of the addiction, it's important to have effective ways of handling it. For example, if you're an alcoholic and you see people from work going to happy hour, it might help to have a specific response ready. It also may help to have a healthy activity that you can do instead - like going for a run, meeting with a sponsor, or reading a good book.
2. Be Completely Honest, Open and Willing
The foundation of recovery begins with honesty, openness and willingness.
Recovery requires complete honesty, a willingness to be open and honest with yourself and others.
During active addiction you may find you have abandoned the truth. Often, people make excuses and minimize use to themselves and others. Self-awareness and reflection of the negative impacts substances have had on your life is key for honesty.
Being honest also means taking personal responsibility for your actions, choices, and emotions. It involves acknowledging the impact of addiction, recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses, and being accountable for your own recovery journey.
Being honest is the primary requirement. Once you have become honest you will find it easier to open yourself up to the possibility of acceptance and healing in recovery.
3. Ask For Help
Recovery is often strengthened through support and connection with others. It is essential to find a supportive network of individuals who understand and encourage recovery. This can include attending support groups, participating in therapy or a substance abuse program, and building relationships with people who prioritize sobriety and healthy living.
4. Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care is crucial during addiction recovery as it promotes overall well-being, helps manage stress, and supports long-term sobriety.
Completing an addiction treatment program is a big step - but when individuals try to navigate daily life and utilize tools taught in rehab, many feel addiction triggers lurk around every corner. One of the most effective ways to avoid relapse triggers is to practice self-care and make yourself your top priority.
Here are some ways to practice self-care in recovery:
Exercise
Eat healthy
Get sleep
Relax
Find support
Set boundaries
5. Don’t Bend The Rules
This rule exists to remind individuals not to resist or sabotage recovery by bending the rules or looking for loopholes. Embrace your recovery, and you will enjoy your life more.
Getting Help For Addiction
If you or somebody in your life seems to have an issue with alcohol or drug addiction, professional help may be the best option for recovery.
At Care Addiction Center, we offer treatment plans that address every facet of your addiction, serving individuals in Geneva, Batavia, Sycamore, St. Charles, and Kane County, with online addiction treatment available anywhere in Illinois.
To get started on the road to recovery, or if you have questions about helping yourself or a loved one, call us today or schedule a confidential assessment online and begin treatment.