Continued from our previous article with our original 10 tips
You can pour days or weeks into choosing the right treatment center. But your recovery will only be successful if you are committed to it. You may not know exactly what to expect when you walk through the doors of your treatment program, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. To raise your chances for a healthy recovery, you need to define your short- and long-term goals and have the desire to change. Treatment is expensive and requires your complete time and diligence, so you can’t keep going back. You need to make the most of the opportunity you have been given.
Here Are 10 Additional Tips For Making The Most Of Your Stay In Treatment:
1. Remember Your Purpose
It’s easy to feel discouraged about recovery when you go through the physical and emotional effects of withdrawal, but you must be stronger than them. You have a purpose in life, and it’s not addiction. Remind yourself of why you are seeking treatment and how your life is going to be better because of it. You can make a list or keep photos on hand of the things you are looking forward to, such as getting to see your children more often or having money to buy nice things for yourself.
2. Be Active In Your Recovery
Your recovery is about YOU. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what your journey will entail. The more you understand the program and how it can help you, the more you will know what to do when you get there. Continue asking questions when you’re in treatment, too. This opens up the lines of communication with those around you and tells your brain that you are committed to getting better. Being active in your recovery gives you a stronger will to change.
3. Don’t Worry About Tomorrow
While it’s true that you are entering treatment to give yourself a better future, don’t think so much about it. Instead, focus your attention on what’s happening right here, right now. In fact, some treatment centers practice a form of meditation called mindfulness, which is being conscious of the state you are in and acknowledging your present feelings, emotions, thoughts, etc. Taking things one day at a time prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and teaches you to enjoy the moments you are given each day.
4. Be Willing To Change
Addiction wreaks havoc on the brain and body, and we understand that you may not be thinking clearly or rationally right now. This thinking can cause you to be negative, especially when you realize everything you have to give up to become clean and sober. But you must be willing to make choices in your life that will lead to sobriety. It’s okay to not like all of them, but you should remain open. Growth cannot occur unless you make change.
5. Give Yourself Extra TLC
It’s okay to be a little selfish right now. You don’t need distractions from toxic people who aren’t in support of your recovery. Right now, you need all the TLC you can get. That being said, you need to be the one to give it. While in recovery, spend time each day journaling, meditating or practicing yoga. Give yourself time to reconnect with nature or your spiritual side. Eat healthy foods, get a consistent night’s rest at the end of each day and nurture your soul. You will do much better in treatment when you have a solid foundation.
6. Be Realistic About Your Goals
As much as we would love to say that you will be completely cured from addiction when you leave our treatment center, this simply is not the case. Recovery is a lifelong process. Addiction does not just stop. It’s important to be realistic about what you can expect from treatment so that you don’t get discouraged. Prepare yourself for a long but rewarding journey – an opportunity to get to know and love yourself again.
7. Practice Making Friends
Addiction sours relationships. Once you are out of treatment, you will need to make amends with those you hurt and learn to form healthy relationships. Some of it will come with time, but it’s also helpful to practice while you’re in treatment. Don’t be afraid to open up when you participate in group sessions. Share what you are feeling, be a good listener and learn from others. In enough time, you will see that you are not alone in your struggles.
8. Understand Addiction As A Syndrome
Some people still look at addiction as a character flaw. But it is not. It’s a disease that manifests in many different ways. You will be taught about addiction and how it affects the brain and body during your time in treatment, but don’t hesitate to learn more. If you were given a diagnosis for a chronic illness from your doctor, you would take the time to research it, wouldn’t you? By understanding addiction as a syndrome, you can live your life defensively and protect yourself from relapse.
9. Establish A Routine
One of the most important tools you will learn in treatment is how to build a healthy schedule. Why is this so valuable? When you leave treatment, what you do during the day will largely determine your success in recovery. If you keep yourself busy, engage in meaningful hobbies and spend time with supportive people, sobriety will come easier. On the other hand, if you sit around the house with nothing to do, you may start thinking about drugs again. With a safe, sober environment to learn in, you can begin practicing a structured routine.
10. Have A Plan For Continuing Care
When you leave treatment, you should have some type of extended care plan. This plan outlines the types of things to work on, the progress to make and the treatments to continue, such as attending therapy or group sessions. Also, make sure that you have the contact information of your treatment center so that you can get in touch with them if need be. The Dunes leaves our doors open for all graduates.
The Dunes East Hampton is a holistic rehab center that treats drug and alcohol addiction. We are happy to answer any questions you may have before starting the treatment process. With qualified health professionals, a low client-to-staff ratio and a variety of therapies, we are a treatment center built for success.
Click here to see more tips from our very own expert on how to avoid triggers in recovery.
Coming Soon! See Tips For Maintaining Sobriety After Rehab
