Addiction recovery is a long, arduous process that can take months or even years. Sometimes, it might feel like you are just spinning your wheels, going nowhere, and making no progress. When this happens, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s working in your recovery plan. Most people participating in it will have to go through several relapses and stop taking drugs or alcohol before they eventually succeed in becoming sober. Here are five tips for maintaining a positive attitude during this recovery journey.
1. Find a Peer Support Group
One of the most powerful tools in helping people progress in their recovery is reaching out to others in your condition. After all, people dealing with the same issues can offer you better advice than someone else not going through the same thing. It’s also a great source of inspiration and motivation to see how other people have gone on and improved their own lives despite the odds being stacked against them. Your peers will also help you stay focused on the end goal of overcoming addiction. When you feel like you’re about to relapse, it’s essential that you have people who can tell you to pick yourself back up and continue fighting.
2. Resist the Urge to Compare Yourself to Others
One of the biggest mistakes people make in drug rehab is comparing themselves to others. Most of the time, they will be comparing themselves to someone sober for a very long time and feel they’ve accomplished so much. No matter how much progress you have made in your recovery, there are always people who are further ahead of you than you feel comfortable with. You need to keep your focus on yourself and not compare yourself to others. Instead, stay consistent in how you view yourself and what you expect from yourself. Keep your goals in mind and set personal benchmarks for yourself that you should strive to achieve.
3. Take Tasks and Processes One at a Time
One of the biggest challenges people in addiction recovery face is how overwhelming it can feel. Feeling down about your progress makes it easy to lose sight of what’s working in your recovery program. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your situation, you should decide to celebrate the small victories that you’ve accumulated during this stumbling block. Look back at some of the challenges that you were able to overcome. Remember that you were once in the same position as many people you are looking up to today. Celebrating your victories is a great way to boost your self-confidence and maintain a positive attitude during this trying time.
4. Try a New Hobby or Activity
One of the best ways to stay interested in living is to work on something new constantly. You have a renewed excitement about life and its endless possibilities when you’re doing new things. It will also allow you to meet new people who can later serve as your support system in times of need. The best thing about hobbies and activities is that they don’t require any expertise or special training. You can do them regardless of your current condition and level of sobriety. Swimming, art classes, and reading are great ways to be creative and improve self-esteem.
5. Meditation and Mindfulness
Studies have shown that meditation can improve your self-esteem and help you be less reactive to stressful situations. It’s also one of the best ways to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it does great good to take a few minutes to slow down and relax. Take some deep breaths and focus on what feels good in your body right now. Think about the things that made you smile even when you were at your lowest point. Find a calm and quiet place free of distractions and be at peace with yourself.
While it might not always feel like it, you are progressing in your recovery journey. The key to remaining positive is never losing sight of the end goal. Imagine yourself living a happy and fulfilling life in which you never have to worry about addiction again. Remember, you can make this vision a reality if you put your mind to it and take the necessary action steps along the way. Sobriety will lead to better opportunities for yourself, so don’t give up on it at the first sign of trouble. Call us at 954-523-1167.