Staying Sober After Rehab
Transitioning from an addiction treatment center to home is an exciting time, yet there are a number of challenges that come along with it. During rehab, you are in an environment created specifically to help you thrive, making it easy for you to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Support comes from all directions and you’re surrounded by others who are either going through the same thing as you or have gone through it at some point in their lives. Professional counselors, therapists, and psychologists are available at almost all times, meals are prepared, and healthy activities are encouraged.
Once you return home, such favorable conditions are no longer present. It becomes more effort to reach out for support, you might be in the presence on someone who is still struggling with an addiction, and you’ll have to deal with the stress of daily life. Though the thought of transitioning to home might be overwhelming at first, there are strategies you can stick to in order to stay sober after recovery.
Helpful Tips for Staying Sober
- Join a recovery forum
- Write a gratitude list
- Reconnect with family members or friends and spend time with them
- Volunteer
- Write down your goals and then start taking steps that get your closer to accomplishing them
- Celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small
- Forgive yourself and forgive others
- Start a blog to share your stories
- Write in a journal
- Take a few minutes each day to get out into nature (go for a hike or go to the beach)
- Exercise each week, whether it’s going for a run or taking a dance class
- Read recovery literature
- Attend a meeting
- Live in the now instead of worrying about the future
- Meditate
- Stay connected with sober friends
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Discover your passion
- Make sure you’re getting a healthy amount of sleep
- Find a hobby that allows you to express yourself, such as art or music