1. Tips to Help You in Your Substance Abuse Treatment Program
Written by admin | Florida Addiction, Florida Treatment Center, Treatment Center
March 26, 2013
| Last Updated on Friday, 03 May, 2013 12:38
If you have enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program, you have taken the first steps towards
bettering your life and becoming the person you were meant to become. That being said, what other
habits should you employ in order to give yourself the best possible chance when it comes to your
recovery? Here are a few tips to help make the road to recovery an easier one.
Always Do Your Best
They say in the program to just keep doing “the next right thing” and it couldn’t be closer to the truth.
In order to maintain your sobriety all you can do is your best. Your best is going to differ depending on
the day so don’t be too hard on yourself if you are having an “off” day. Even if you are having a bad
day, don’t fall into the temptation of playing victim. Playing the victim is a dangerous place for people
in recovery. Feeling sorry for yourself, or feelings of self-pity, are counterproductive to your sobriety.
Always do your best to avoid wallowing in self-pity and to help overcome feelings of hopelessness and
victimization.
Change Your Environment
Its best practice to avoid all people, places and things that you once associated with your drug or
alcohol use. This may be easier said than done in some cases, but as we pointed out before as long as
you do your best you should be able to overcome any old temptations. The main reason to avoid old
people, places and things is because you don’t want to make recovery any harder on yourself than it has
to be. People, places and things from the past can easily trigger old emotions that may cause you to
want to use. Avoiding these types of triggers is a great way to protect yourself against hurtful emotions
that could sidetrack your progress.
Keep it Simple
This may sound like a cliche, but in early recovery the most important thing that you can do is to keep
it simple. This includes avoiding relationships that cause you stress, avoiding new romantic
relationships, high stress jobs, high pressure situations and any new financial responsibilities.
Oftentimes, addicts and alcoholics have spent a lot of their life very consumed and busy with their
addiction. Recovery is a chance to let all of that go in pursuit of a calmer and happier life.
Besides using these tips to help you in recovery, make sure that you develop a group of sober supports
that you can turn to when you are in need of a friend. Having a strong support system is very important
in early recovery and can keep you on the right track.