When you are recovering from alcohol or opioid addiction, it can be challenging to maintain a positive outlook. Forming new routines while battling the symptoms of withdrawal is no easy task, but it is worth the fight. If you are a recovering addict, use these four tips to help you maintain positive mental health after addiction.
Focus on One Day At a Time
After living with addiction, facing a lifetime of sobriety may seem overwhelming. Instead of worrying about how you will make it through the next week, month, year, and so on, try focusing on one day at a time. As cliche as it may sound, it can take some of the pressure off. If the day ahead seems overwhelming, break it into smaller chunks of time. Every minute you persevere is a victory.
Build New Habits and Hobbies
Getting used to a sober lifestyle is difficult. Without drugs or alcohol, you may find yourself with more time on your hands than you are used to. Finding healthy and meaningful ways to fill this time is one of the best defenses against relapse. Discovering new hobbies and structuring your day is a good way to focus your energy toward productive habits, and a healthy lifestyle.
Set New Goals
Setting long-term goals is a good way to motivate yourself to stay on track. If you feel yourself beginning to slip at the moment, being able to remind yourself of those goals can help you stay dedicated to your sobriety. Whether the goals you create for yourself are physical or abstract, having an objective to work towards can help you make the right decisions. If you are beginning your recovery, the five stages of recovery can serve as a guide and provide goals for you to work towards.
Take Care Of Your Health
It’s no secret that addiction takes a toll on one’s health. Getting back into shape and eating right might seem like an enormous undertaking, but it can improve more than your physical health. Getting the right amount of exercise and eating a nutritious diet is also great for your mental health. Not only will you feel better, but you will look better too. Meal planning, learning new food to make, and attending the gym regularly are good habits to form that can help you structure your week.
Find Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Newark, DE
Deciding to get help can be difficult. At American Treatment Network we aim to make that process easy. We provide customized integrated health care for our patient’s physical and behavioral needs in three central locations. Based in Dover, Newark, and Havertown, we combine MAT, peer recovery, and a selection of behavior and holistic health programs to support those facing alcohol and opioid addiction. If you or a loved one is facing alcohol or opioid addiction, they don’t have to do it alone. To learn more, call or schedule an appointment today.