Substance abuse recovery is never easy. There are days that have setbacks, lessons to learn, self-discovery, and maybe even the occasional victory. The process to achieve success goes beyond sobriety. It also involves trust, purpose, and self-reliance. Although this process has its ups and downs, having strategies in relapse prevention, understanding, and patience can lead to sobriety.
The Journey Toward Substance Abuse Recovery
Substance abuse recovery can be a long journey that involves recognizing different phases. One phase is detoxification, which involves the body eliminating all substances. The second phase involves therapy so that your behavior and emotions stay in check throughout recovery.
Both of these phases teach how to cope, build support, and recognize triggers.
However, what you may not realize is that recovery doesn’t end when treatment ends. To truly heal, it must be continuous due to a change in emotions, responsibilities, and experiences as long-term sobriety is maintained.
During sobriety, each sober day is progress, regardless of how hard it seems. When challenges are understood, you won’t feel like a failure or become discouraged.
Upsides of Substance Abuse Recovery
There are many upsides when it comes to substance abuse recovery. A few of these include:
- Sense of accomplishment
- Renewed physical health
- Rebuilt relationships
- Personal growth
- Emotional clarity
- Supportive community
- Stable routine
- Improved finances
- Inner peace
Having these upsides can be a great reminder of a recovery that works in helping you create a fulfilling life again.
Downsides of Addiction Recovery
While you can expect addiction challenges along your journey, it’s a good idea to recognize them first so you know how to manage them once they present themselves.
- Emotional Stress: This includes having any trauma you feel is unresolved. It also involves distress and anxiety, which can lead to you craving substances and thinking of ways to obtain them. By managing your stress through healthy outlets, you eliminate any chance of relapse.
- Daily Pressure: As you return to your old community, you may come across those with whom you interacted while you were addicted. This could cause daily pressure because of the people being so close to you. This may make it difficult to remain sober. But when a group of supportive friends is with you, they can establish safety and accountability. This will strengthen your overall motivation.
- Being Overconfident: You may think that you have reached sobriety after a few months, but it is never a good idea to assume relapse won’t happen to you. Thinking this way is dangerous due to addiction being chronic in nature and needing constant monitoring.
- Feelings of Boredom: Substances are used by many to escape boredom or feelings of emptiness. When recovering, your life needs to be meaningful and filled with activities that have purpose. Having purpose can sustain your recovery once any excitement is gone.
The Recovery Rollercoaster
During addiction, your brain undergoes changes that make it difficult to feel pleasure. While recovering, a large number of emotions will likely envelop you at times. These emotions may include a high amount of energy followed by frustration.
Having an increase in emotions during this time is a normal part of recovery and highlights the need for time to achieve recovery. You should remember that when you experience emotional overload, it does not mean you are not strong enough to achieve recovery. It just signifies that your body is getting rid of the addictive substances.
Relapse Is Only a Setback
When you experience a setback, you may become discouraged from continuing with recovery. When this happens, you need to remember that this is a normal part of it. You just need to be able to recognize what causes the setback. That way, your journey toward recovery will be stronger.
Many reasons exist as to why relapse occurs, such as loneliness, stress, life events, or complacency. Concentrate on what you can learn and not on the setback itself. Think of what caused the trigger, what emotions were involved, and how it could be handled differently.
Relapse prevention is about having awareness and the tools to quickly bounce back. After relapsing, you may have a greater understanding of yourself and a stronger commitment to make a change.
Managing the Downsides Patiently
While there are many addiction challenges, the biggest ones are shame, frustration, and guilt as you notice your progress slowing down. It is a good idea not to set unrealistic expectations of wanting to feel better fast.
With healing, it will always be two-sided with highs and lows, but these always lead to more opportunities to grow and not fail. Practicing self-care and kindness, instead of criticism, will enhance your overall resilience.
You should also concentrate on routines that center around good sleep, nutrition, and exercise, so that your life is balanced. With these small acts, you’ll achieve some great payoffs down the line.
Incorporating Support Methods
Although it is good to stay motivated and disciplined, substance abuse recovery is successful with support. Having programs that combine MAT, counseling, and behavioral therapy can provide an approach that is holistic in nature.
Through the use of FDA-approved medications, cravings and withdrawals can be controlled so that individuals can focus on recovery. With therapy, the behavioral and physical side of addiction are addressed, allowing you to achieve long-term success.
So if you have just begun a recovery program or are bouncing back from a relapse, having a support method can provide the necessary structure to reach recovery.
Stay On Track
When you are in recovery, you won’t experience an easy path. In fact, addiction recovery can be difficult for many. However, if you remain determined, your journey will continue to move forward despite the setbacks. You’ll reach the ultimate goal of recovery, and you will see more and more victories.
At American Treatment Network, we provide many programs that fit your needs. We won’t let you feel like a failure, and we take every setback in stride. So when you are ready, get a hold of us today to achieve long-term sobriety.
