Help With Staying Sober After Rehab
Staying sober. It’s a simple concept but not always an easy achievement. This is because, like asthma, addiction is a chronic condition. And addiction treatment can help someone recover from substance abuse, but it isn’t necessarily a cure for their disease.
To successfully maintain sobriety, you will need a plan for when temptations arise.
That’s where these five tools for staying sober after leaving rehab come in:
- Mental Health Assistance
- Sober Support
- Pleasurable Distractions
- Diet and Exercise
- Creativity
1.) Mental Health Assistance
Beyond the casual support of friends and loved ones, professional aid can be genuinely helpful. Someone trained in mental health can assist you in coping with complicated feelings.
Finding a therapist or counselor who suits you is paramount. You may need to shop around to find the right one. Trust your instincts. Find someone you connect with, and you’re more likely to succeed.
You can also ask the rehab facility for aftercare recommendations. They can almost always set you up with help to succeed.
2.) Sober Support
No one stays sober alone. The first item in your bag of tricks should always be supported. Ideally, the support of people who’ve been successful in recovery. Here’s where to find other sober people to help you:
12-Step Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are the most popular, but there are countless others.
Alternative Groups
Celebrate Recovery, Rational Recovery, SMART Recovery and Refuge Recovery are the most common. There should be local groups in your area. A quick internet search can help you find a group quickly. Asking mental health facilities or rehabilitation centers may also provide groups you can join.
Mental Health Groups
Many counseling facilities have group therapy sessions overseen by a counselor. These groups are common in Intensive Outpatient Settings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) classes are common.
Spiritual Gatherings
If you belong to a religious organization, there may be alternative recovery choices. Discuss your situation with an administrator. Choose a support group that is nearby and accessible. The more you attend, the more your chances at long-term recovery improve.
3.) Fun Distractions to Help Stay Sober After Rehab
Many people may abuse substances to self-medicate and try to feel better. When we don’t feel good during sobriety, sobriety eventually fades.
Bliss can be found in the most unlikely of places. Luckily, when we’re sober, the entire world becomes our playground. We can go anywhere and do anything except use drugs and alcohol. We can experience feelings above and beyond what we thought possible.
Make a list of everything that gives you joy. Whenever you have free time, pick something off the list and do it!
4.) Diet and Exercise
The body and brain are inextricably linked. When the body feels good, the brain often feels good. Eating right can change your life. Getting out and about will also improve your mental health.
Here’s what doctors suggest for diet:
- The Dash Diet
- Mediterranean Diet
- Volumetric Diet
- Flexitarian Diet
- Mayo Clinic Diet
- MIND Diet
Always consult with your physician before embarking on a new eating regimen. For exercise, there’s a straightforward rule: do something you enjoy. Here are a few suggestions to make your movement as pleasurable as possible:
- Adventure sports – Hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, skateboarding, skydiving- anything that takes you somewhere new.
- Play games – Football, baseball, hockey, tennis, ultimate, skating, soccer, or even croquet.
- Active Hobbies – Gardening, sailing, fishing, animal keeping, paintball, swimming, martial arts, golf, horseback riding, go-karting, ping pong, or attending festivals and outdoor gatherings.
5.) Spark Your Creativity
Creating something provides a sense of control. This gives us an outlet for our feelings. Here’s a few places to start:
- Performance – Singing, dancing, acting, playing an instrument or doing physical stunts.
- Writing – Poetry, stories, information, a blog, a journal or a song.
- Recording – Videos, podcasts or photographs are all excellent types of recording media to explore.
- Make something – Build a machine, sew some clothes, craft some furniture or fix something broken.
By practicing with these tools, you can stay sober and live a happier, more satisfying life!
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
By practicing with these tools, you can stay sober and live a happier, more satisfying life! But if you find the temptation to use substances again too great, help is always available.
The team at Riverwalk Recovery is here to ensure you maintain the sobriety you’ve worked hard to achieve. Know that relapse doesn’t mean you’ve failed, only that you didn’t receive the proper treatment for your situation.
Contact our treatment helpline for more information today.
Sources:
National Library of Medicine – Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery
National Library of Medicine – Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction