For someone who has battled addiction, “recovery” is an important word. When a person has made it to recovery, it means they’ve jumped a hurdle. How many more hurdles they have to jump will depend on many important factors, including their support system and their determination.
Every day of recovery is a difficult phase to be in, but as time passes, the difficulty does get better, because you get mentally stronger. If you’re new to recovery, here are some tips that may help you keep your eye on the prize.
Try a Natural Supplement
It’s possible that your mind feels foggy and at times you feel angry, frustrated or confused. These are all normal emotions, but the problem is, they can make it difficult to think clearly. Some people swear by natural herbs and minerals to help them find clarity. See Thrive side effects to determine if a supplement with natural ingredients might be beneficial for you.
Join a Support Group
Everyone has probably been telling you this, and so far you have probably resisted. Admitting your addiction to a roomful of strangers isn’t easy, and everybody gets that. The good thing about support groups is there is absolutely not one person in that room who is there to judge you. From the person leading the group, to the group members, they’ve all been through this before.
The important thing about support groups is they are there to help. They are there to hold you accountable, to hold you up when you fall, and to simply hold you if that’s what you need. There are many options for support groups, so search around until you find one that fits you.
Make New Habits and a New Home
If you don’t start forming new habits, it can be easier to fall into old habits. Part of forming new habits includes letting go of the people who were a part of your addiction network. If you need to move out of your neighborhood then do it. It could save your life.
Lots of people start over, whether they’ve been addicts or not. Starting over gives you the power to design your life from scratch. You could even go back to school and learn a new trade. Starting over also gives you new goals to focus on. Right now, that’s exactly what you need.
Don’t Fear Asking for Help
It’s likely you have many people who care for you and want to see you succeed. Make a list of people you can call if you feel you may be tempted to return to your old life. Maybe the person you’re most comfortable calling is your parent or another person from your support group. There are also drug rehab centers in Miami, New York City, and all over the world in person and online. You can even call 411 and find someone who is a trained professional and willing to talk you through your tough time.
The important thing to remember is you’re not alone in this. Nobody ever has to be alone when they are feeling their most vulnerable. You might present a tough exterior to the outside world, but be honest with yourself when you really need help and then get it.
Tend to You First
Learn to take care of yourself again. This means take care of yourself mentally and physically. You should see a therapist in addition to attending support groups. If you need any help with depression or anxiety, your mental health professional can coach you on how to relieve these feelings naturally and can prescribe medications if needed.
You should also eat healthy and get plenty of exercises. Your body needs to forget the toxins it once desired. Now is the time to treat your body the way it deserves to be treated. Keep fresh fruits and vegetables on hand and take daily walks.
Do you enjoy lifting weights, riding a bike, or swimming? Not only are these activities good for your body, they’re good for your mental well-being as they help you feel relaxed and sleep better at night.
The journey ahead of you might seem long, but getting yourself well requires small steps. Don’t expect to immediately feel better. The reward is waiting for you, you just need to be patient.
Identity Magazine is all about guiding women to discover their powers and transform through Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement.
We ask that every contributor and expert answer the Identity questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the current article they have written.
In that way, and as a team, we hope to encourage and motivate each other, thus inspiring you to Get All A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? Additionally, what are you still working on accepting? Now, we’re not talking about resignation, but rather stepping into, embracing, and owning.
Although it has taken me much time to accept, I have learned that setting goals is actually the best thing I can do for myself and my family. Sometimes we make excuses or believe goals are a waste of time, but they are not. All it takes is commitment and lots of reminders to make your goals a part of you.
2. Appreciation is everything. What have you learned to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? On the other hand OR in contrast, are there elements of who you are that you’re still working on appreciating?
It’s okay to have hard days; that makes us human! I don’t want to appear weak or insecure, but sometimes a cry or a vent is the healthiest thing for me. We all need it sometimes.
3. Share with us one of your most rewarding achievements in life? Tell us not only what makes YOU most proud but also share the goals and dreams that you still have.
Something little but remarkable — I love my work office! It is neat, clean, and fully decorated by me. Sometimes I take a break from work just to have a conversation with myself in the office as if the walls are offering healthy advice!
