The first year of recovery and life after addiction can be hard to manage. There are triggers everywhere, and applying the skills you learned during your time in rehab isn’t always that easy. It’s possible to discover a void from a past life. Whether the void is low self-esteem, avoiding bad feelings, or past experiences, addicts typically would use alcohol or drugs to fill the void. Now that there are no longer those unhealthy coping mechanisms, addicts face the void alone. Maintaining sobriety in recovery requires learning how to fill life with positive things and not go back into old ways. A relapse prevention program in Texas may be needed to find new coping mechanisms.

Recovery Skills for Life After Addiction

Rehab isn’t the end of addiction; it’s just the beginning. As soon as a client leaves treatment, the life and the factors that brought them to addiction are still waiting. While it’s impossible to change everything, it’s possible to learn how to handle things better and develop some behaviors that help maintain recovery.

It’s essential to begin life after addiction by mourning the loss of past addiction. Since addiction may have been with you for a long time, it’s necessary to mourn the loss of it. This requires you to give up the addiction and say goodbye to the wrong places, friends, and unhealthy habits that led to addiction. It’s necessary to recognize the loss and recognize that it was something you did, and it doesn’t define you. Once you realize the loss, move past it.

It’s best to avoid high-risk trigger situations. You can’t always avoid these situations, but you can be more aware of them. If you are taking care of yourself, then you can recognize emotions. Developing healthy habits and using support groups, like the Santé Center alumni program, can make it easier to deal with these situations.

Creating Healthy Habits

Feeling a sense of boredom can be dangerous. When bored, you can allow the mind to wander and not be focused on recovery. This can even trigger a relapse. It’s important to stay busy and fill the day with activities you enjoy. Find new interests and activities that will keep you busy to avoid feeling bored. Some healthy activities can include:

Reading
Doing Crossword Puzzles
Doing Volunteer Work
Making a To-Do List, So You Feel a Sense of Accomplishment
Playing Sports
Learning to Cook
Taking a Class

Filling life with people and love is also essential. Surround yourself with people who make you feel loved for and cared for. Recovery can also be a good time to mend fences with friends and family.

Coping Skills to Use

There are plenty of skills that help maintain recovery. It’s important to learn how to handle stress in healthy ways. Be completely honest with yourself and others. Maintain a regular schedule of therapy sessions, especially in the first year of life after addiction.

There are several ways to ensure that the early stages of recovery aren’t stressful. One way is by continuing to commit to attending and being active in group therapy sessions. This helps individuals build their sober community and have others to turn to when things become challenging. It’s also an excellent way to work out in a supportive setting healthy coping mechanisms. By getting feedback, expressing concerns, and celebrating victories, individuals in the early stages of recovery can build up their confidence and skill in identifying, addressing, and overcoming triggers.

Learn More Tips for Helping a Loved One at Sante Center for Healing

There are several ways to help a loved one on their journey for life after addiction. Finding a support group where your loved one feels comfortable can help. Being in a group where others have gone through the same thing helps individuals feel less alone in their struggles.

Family support is important, and Santé Center’s family therapy program is crucial to help maintain recovery. However, it can be a trigger source for some. Making sure you are supportive as much as possible is going to help your loved one. Just being around to listen can also help. If an addict feels they can go to you for help when feeling triggered, it can help them avert any crisis. Aside from family therapy, our programs offer: