Strategies for Long-Term Addiction Recovery

Finally finishing a recovery program doesn’t signify the end of an addiction journey, relapses can sometimes be stumbling blocks. According to NIH, between 40 and 60% of people in addiction recovery relapse within a year of completing treatment. These individuals may not relapse intentionally, but societal pressure and certain circumstances may have pushed them into using drugs and alcohol. 

One of the main reasons people in recovery revert to addiction is poor coping skills. Addiction is an incurable chronic disease, but it can be treated with the right approach. If you’re equipped adequately, you can maintain lifelong recovery. 

Healing Pines is men’s Colorado drug rehab that can help.

Strategies for Long-Term Addiction Recovery

Staying sober for a long period takes time and effort. While relapse is typical, you’ll want to be cautious of slipping back into addiction. A regular person will advise you against substance abuse to avoid relapsing, but it doesn’t work for everyone. You can cope with relapsing using various strategies. The more techniques you know, the more convenient it is to maintain lasting sobriety.

Below are strategies to help you:

Identify the Factors that Could Trigger Use

Learning about your triggers can help prevent relapse. Many people are triggered by stress, boredom, the environment, friends and associates, and financial difficulties. By understanding your triggers, you have an improved chance of preventing relapse. If you can’t ascertain your triggers, get in touch with an addiction therapist. They can help you uncover the reasons and suggest the best ways to remain sober. 

Don’t Skip Peer Support Groups

Mutual support groups can be beneficial for individuals in addiction recovery. Support groups establish a foundation for people to share their stories, upsides, and downsides. It can be therapeutic to share with your fellow members who are going through similar experiences. Individuals who attend support groups find the motivation to keep navigating through life’s obstacles without relapsing.

Support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Narcotics Anonymous, 12-step programs, and faith-based groups. Attending these meetings regularly after completing rehab is helpful and allows you to bond with others.

Engage in a Healthy Lifestyle

Your lifestyle can be a detriment or improve your recovery. If you stick to the same lifestyle that aided your addiction before rehab, you will slip back into drug and alcohol use. One of the initial adjustments is to steer clear of people you previously drank with. 

Some lifestyle changes you have to make include; exercising regularly. Exercises like yoga and running can increase the production of helpful chemicals to regulate the body. Eating a balanced diet will increase focus and keep the body in shape. Also, sleep and wake up at the right time. Irregular sleeping patterns can trigger drug and alcohol use.

Get Busy

Boredom is a massive trigger for drug and alcohol use. If you’re constantly lonely or isolated for long periods, you can turn to alcohol or drugs for comfort. The best way to get busy is to get a job or do something worthwhile. You can draw, paint, or even cook.  

Form New Healthy Relationships

Now that you’re in recovery, you may have realized you were in many toxic relationships that encouraged your addiction. Maintaining these dangerous relationships can increase your chances of relapsing. It’s time to grow out of it and plant a new seed elsewhere. Building new healthy relationships can keep you sober for the longest time. 

Create a Structured Plan

A disrupted lifestyle can hamper recovery. Develop a daily and weekly schedule and adhere to it. A structured timetable will help you fulfill your goals straightforwardly. 

Set Objectives

Setting goals can give you something to look forward to. They don’t have to be long-term goals. We recommend setting short-term goals. Accomplishing them can give you a sense of fulfillment, which can help with sobriety. 

Celebrate Each Milestone

12-step programs celebrate the one-year milestone of their members by giving out a bronze coin. The essence of this practice is to celebrate the hard work of recovery and remind them of the reason they made the journey. Take a cue from the 12-step and incorporate it into your life. You could celebrate completing a 7-day exercise program or eating junk-free meals.

Healing Pines Can Help You Achieve Addiction Recovery in Colorado

Choosing from the numerous drug rehab centers in Colorado can be challenging. If you or someone you know with addiction stays in Colorado but doesn’t know where to get treatment, Healing Pines is here. Our team will teach you coping skills and techniques to avoid sabotaging your recovery. We understand the tediousness of maintaining lasting sobriety. That’s why we provide guidance on how to abstain from drugs and alcohol. We are here to help you reclaim your life. Call us to get started with our top residential treatment center in Colorado.