When you are recovering from drug abuse (or any form of substance abuse) it is important to remember that long-term recovery is a long-term commitment. You have to wake up every day and decide with intention that you are committed to your recovery. You have to choose recovery. Whether you have been drug and alcohol free for just a few weeks, a couple months, or even years, forming and practicing positive habits each day can help strengthen your commitment. Since all addicts are different and have varying tools that work for them in their treatment and recovery, we turned to our alumni program members to share what works for them. We hope this inspires you through your treatment process and helps you to discover a habit or two that works for you.
Jessica
15 months clean
“Going to meetings not to socialize but to remember my recovery”
We all know that going to meetings regularly can be extremely helpful, especially in those early weeks and months. Attending meetings is an awesome way to connect with others who are or have been in your shoes, but you won’t experience the full effects that the meetings can have on your recovery unless you show up with your recovery on the forefront of your mind.
Braden
19 months clean
“List of things that made me smile the day before”
We love this one. Gratitude is such a powerful thing in life and particularly in drug addiction recovery. Taking up a daily gratitude practice, like writing a list of things that made you happy that day or even sending a thank you note to a friend is a great way to sit back and think, wow I’ve really got a lot to be thankful for. It’s all about intentionally focusing on the good instead of the bad.
Natalie
13 months sober
“Taking care myself physically”
We all know that person in recovery who is super committed to getting up each day to work out and eat well. While we don’t all have to wake up at the crack of dawn and work out 2 hours a day, there is something to be said for simply taking care of oneself. Spending time each day to connect with yourself, clear your mind, and decide what you want out of your day will work wonders for your mood, your stress levels, and ultimately your recovery.
Cecilia
25 months clean
“Taking sponsor advice”
Maintaining contact with your sponsor is definitely instrumental for anyone who is trying to abstain from drug or alcohol abuse but simply calling isn’t going to cut it. Listening to their advice and taking their advice are two very different things. While it might be difficult at first to really take someone else’s advice, you have to trust that it’s very likely that they have been in your exact situation a time or two before and after all they really just want to help you make the right choices.
Todd
28 months clean
“Being of service, going to meetings, being productive”
Helping others, going to meetings, and keeping busy are great habits to pick up in recovery. Fill your life with things that bring you meaning and make you happy in order to steer clear of boredom, which can ultimately bring you into dangerous territory for a relapse.
Thank you to all our alumni who shared their advice with us. If you are in recovery and you have some advice or ideas that you’d like to share with those who are new to recovery, we would love to hear from you. Share in the comments below or via our Facebook page.
Find Substance Abuse Rehab Programs
If someone you love is struggling with a substance abuse problem, call us today at (855) 203-7930 and the treatment specialists at The Discovery House will help you to begin your path to long-term recovery.
*names have been changed for privacy reasons