Quitting any addiction is a challenge. It’s not uncommon for people to relapse once or several times before they finally manage to quit their substance of choice. So, don’t be discouraged if you’ve relapsed or you’re struggling with the desire to use again. Government statistics show that despite relapsing being so common, 75.5% of those struggling with alcohol or drug use consider themselves recovered. Here we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tips you can use to avoid a relapse:
Take Time for Self-Care
It’s no secret that relapses are most common in the moments when people are struggling with their mental and physical health. Quitting substance use is often accompanied by insomnia, tiredness, and stress. These unpleasant feelings are hard to deal with so it’s easy to go back to substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism.
However, there’s plenty you can do to improve your mental health so that you minimize these struggles. Regular exercise can do wonders for your mental state: it’s been proven to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of sleep, improve your judgment skills and help you feel more in control of your life.
Diet is also an important component of your well-being. Eating healthy, balanced meals can make it much easier to avoid relapsing as your mood stabilizes, your energy levels increase, and your ability to focus improves. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. A poor diet can make you feel depressed, anxious, and restless. You may get more random cravings — for the nutrients you’re not consuming enough of but also for substances. So, do your best to nourish your body and you’ll enjoy many benefits.
Manage Difficult Emotions
You need to take care of your mental health to have a sustainable recovery. You might have once uses alcohol or drugs to try to deal with your negative feelings but can no longer rely on them. The better you can deal with your emotions, the less you’re going to feel the need to go back to your previous coping method of substance use. There’s plenty you can do:
- Talk to other people who understand your struggles with addiction
- Meditate or practice mindfulness
- Journal
- Go back to your previous hobbies
- Do yoga
- Go for long walks
Quitting substance use is not just about leaving your old life behind — it’s about building a new, better one. Taking the time to build positive habits will transform your perception of your everyday life. It will enable you to build a life that you enjoy and don’t feel the need to escape from. It will help you find joy and purpose and leave substances in the past.
We Can Help You Stay Sober
If you’re struggling with addiction and it feels impossible to deal with it alone, don’t hesitate to contact us. Here at Bayside Recovery Center, we prioritize customized and compassionate care for every patient. We integrate the classic 12-step program philosophy with clinical modalities to achieve long-lasting results. Give us a call now and we’ll discuss the best treatment options for you.
Baystate Recovery Center, a clinically Infused 12-Step Treatment Center for Drug and Alcohol Addiction, was founded by two partners in addiction treatment services, John Checchi and Michael Wilson.
