As you maintain your sobriety you are bound to face stressful situations that could trigger a relapse. Part of your recovery will be learning how to face the problems that life may throw at you without turning to drugs and alcohol. One stressor many people will face is the sudden loss of a job. Losing your job can hit you on multiple fronts. The last thing you want to do now is to give up the sobriety you have fought so hard to maintain. Before you make a bad situation worse by relapsing, run through these steps to help walk yourself back down from the ledge.
Talk to someone
When you find yourself in a stressful situation the first thing you need to do is talk to someone about how you are feeling. These are the exact situations that having a sponsor you can count on really pay off. Many times the simple act of talking about how we are feeling can be enough to ease the desire to relapse. Your sponsor may have even been through the same situation and can share with you how they were able to maintain their sobriety. If you do not have a sponsor find someone to talk to that will understand your addiction and will put your sobriety first. Online recovery forums are available should you find yourself with no one to reach out to.
Play this all the way out
Many times when people find themselves in stressful situations they tend to only remember the positive effects of their addictions. Their recollection of their substance abuse seems to stop before things got bad. If you find yourself in a situation that causes you to think about relapsing, walk yourself all the way through how things will follow after your relapse. Remind yourself of the pain and struggles your addiction caused. Hopefully, your sponsor or whomever you choose to talk to will also remind you of the reasons you entered treatment. Sometimes it just requires a gentle reminder of the struggles your addiction caused to move past a craving.
Keep yourself busy
One of the hardest parts of losing your job is dealing with all the extra time you find yourself with. If not addressed, this free time combined with the negative thoughts that come along with losing your job can spell disaster for your sobriety. Make sure you keep your mind occupied with healthy distractions.
The Lakehouse Recovery Center offers privacy, client-focused care, and more. Our belief is that treatment should teach clients how to find fun and laughter again in their life. Offering 30, 60, and 90 day programs, we help clients heal in mind, body, and spirit, while helping them find joy in life again without drugs and alcohol. Call us today for information: 877.762.3707