It’s not just holidays that can risk someone sobriety. It can be a birthday, a anniversary, a death of a loved one, actually any day of the week for that matter can risk ones path in recovery. During those times it is important to get all the extra support and tips you can get your hands on for help in getting over the hump.
Here are some useful tips to keep you from relapsing:
1. Keep a plan
When you know a certain time of your life is going to be extra difficult to get though, plan ahead of time on how you intend on spending your days throughout this time. If you have family and friends who are supportive of your recovery, plan to spend the majority of this time with them. If the occasion requires you to attend an event where alcohol is being served, bring a fellow AA member, strong family support member, or your sponsor with you. Plan events that are fun during this time that will take you away from thinking about using.
2. Request extra support
Ask for extra support from family members and friends who truly have your back in your recovery process. Be up front and tell them your concerns, fears and weakness. If they are truly supportive of your recovery, they will welcome the chance to help you through rough patches.
3. Emergency Call List
Have a list of at least 10 people you can call when you are feeling weak. Carry it along with your cell phone wherever you go.
4. Exercise
Pump it up during this time! You should be engaging in regular exercise as it is, but during these time increase the amount you do. Go running, skating, biking, cross country skiing, take a yoga class or water aerobics, anything, just get up and get moving.
5. Stay away from slippery places.
In slippery places I am referring to places where you used to use or drink. There is no reason to take a trip down memory lane, frequent your old drinking spot, or hang out with the old crowd you used to use with. No good can come of it so stay away from those locations. If the people you used to hang with had your best interest at heart, they would have encouraged you to seek help in the first place.
6. Create new traditions
Your previous holiday celebrations more than likely included your drug of choice. Old holiday traditions can even trigger the feel of the need to use. So start replacing those triggers with new traditions. Make a annual event of playing a board game with the family every holiday, going for a walk, or any of a thousand other things you can do to make a change in the previous pattern.
7. Daily Gratitude
The quickest way to cure the blues is to reflect on all those things you have to be thankful for. When you are feeling down, write down everything you have to be thankful for, big and small and do not stop until you have at least 10 things on your list. Put your list somewhere that is easily seen and reflect on it often throughout your day. Do this every morning until you have gotten over the hump. Leave your list on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, or anywhere easily seen for reflection.
8. Volunteer
One of the great things about giving back is how it makes one feel – great!!! There are so many people in need around everyone’s community, people who are homeless, hungry, jobless seeking job skills and a mess load of other conflicts. Now is a great time to volunteer at a local shelter, soup line, or church. Offer your expertise in your chosen craft to help teach another. Visit retirement homes and nursing homes. There are so many things and ways a person can volunteer that will not only help others, but you as well.
9. Write a journal
Be open with yourself about how you are struggling. Write down what steps you are taking to avoid relapsing. Write down why relapsing is not in your best interest. Date it, and write in it as much as you need to throughout a day. Next time you find yourself in a rough patch you can always go back and reflect on old entries, see how far you have come and see what different things helped pull your through in the past.
10. One Day at a Time
Take life one day at a time. Stay in the moment and don’t let the next day effect your current sobriety. If something is bothering you, talk, talk and talk some more until you are feeling better. Celebrate your sobriety and live life!
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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I've got news for you. Sometimes the hump can be as small as an interruption of a daily routine. At least that's how it works for me. I'm still pretty new at sobriety, I'm hoping it get's a little easier with time. I appreciate your site. You have already helped me immensely.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has humps and bumps in life to deal with but for a recovering addict or alcoholic those humps and bumps can be a major challenge. They have been for me. I'm doing much better now but for the first year it was a real roller coaster. Sites like yours help me to deal on a day to day basis. I really appreciate it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAmen to George and Annie both. I'm a regular visitor to this site and it has helped me often. It's great to know that I'm not the only one experiencing these problems.
ReplyDeleteI copied your list and put it by my phone. I appreciate you sharing it with me.
ReplyDelete