People who seek treatment for their opioid addiction or alcohol abuse are fortunate to start the process of recovery, as those who don’t choose to seek treatment are usually eventually faced with great financial or family difficulties or significant health issues. Those who seek professional treatment from an addiction center can find a new and better way to live.
However, many people struggle with the early stages of recovery, where living life without the substances they were used to can cause issues. Some people still battle cravings, while others get into problems with their families or because of how they live their lives. Since many of those who suffer from addiction used drugs to escape their problems, living life without them early on can pose a challenge. The trick here is to find the relapse triggers that surround your daily life and use strategies to beat the urges. Here are the tricks you can use to overcome the struggles of early sobriety:
1. Know Your Personal Relapse Triggers
Everyone has their own relapse triggers that make life seem difficult or even unmanageable. Some people get antsy when they’re exposed to people who drink and use drugs, while others don’t like visiting specific places like bars and clubs. These are known as physical triggers and should be avoided at all costs to prevent falling back into addiction.
Recovery also entails taking care of your emotional and mental health, so be sure to set boundaries with people and know when to say no. You should also be sure to identify if a certain job or relationship is trouble for your recovery, as these can be great sources of stress and act as a relapse trigger.
2. Be Aware of Warning Signs
You’ll know when your recovery is in danger if you start to overstep your boundaries and you experience negative thoughts. Relapses usually sneak up on people because they’re not aware of the early warning signs. Some people might self-harm, while others might start daydreaming about how life was when they still used drugs.
Understanding these tendencies in your thinking means being able to recognize relapse triggers before they get out of hand. Ensure that you keep watch on your behaviors and activities that may cause your alcohol abuse or opioid addiction to resurface.
3. Prepare Yourself for PAWS
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS for short, might last for up to two years, depending on the degree of your substance abuse. Many people just out of substance abuse treatment may experience irritability, difficulty sleeping and waking, or have depressive and anxious episodes. These can all cause relapse due to the emotional distress. The trick to keeping your recovery going is to seek help from a professional and stay in touch with your recovery peers for a quick pick-me-up when you’re struggling.
4. Have a Structure
Many people stay in recovery with a dedicated and structured daily schedule. This structure might include sleeping and waking patterns, doing chores, indulging in a healthy hobby, exercising, taking medications on-time, and even attending group therapy. People who structure their lives and stick to the schedules are often healthier in recovery than those who do not follow through with a set schedule.
Why Seek the Help of Substance Abuse Treatment?
Dealing with an addiction or substance abuse disorder is difficult enough, and being early into recovery poses plenty of issues that one must overcome. Anyone who can power through the difficult times of early sobriety is gifted with a life full of meaning and purpose. If you’re thinking about seeking substance abuse treatment for alcohol abuse or opioid addiction, you’re making the right decision.
Find the Help You Need at American Treatment Network
Getting help for addiction doesn’t have to be difficult. With substance abuse treatment services geared to help people struggling with alcohol or opioid use, you’re no longer alone. If you or a loved one is suffering from the perils of substance addiction, consider visiting American Treatment Network in Havertown, Pennsylvania, for a complete range of assistance tools. Contact us to know more about how we help you find recovery.
