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/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Showing posts with label staying clean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label staying clean. Show all posts
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Get High on Life
Getting high used to be what your life was all about. It was the driving force you couldn’t ignore. But now, you have kicked that habit to the side of the road. This can be a very exciting time for you. You are changing your world, taking giant steps in the direction you really want to travel to. Your time used to be spent on your addiction. It might have been drugs, or maybe it was alcohol. Regardless, you need to decide how your time will be spent. Now it’s all about getting high on life!
Get back to the basics of life. Take a walk and really check out nature. Smell the flowers, watch the birds, and try to identify the trees. Find a zoo and spend the day. Go horse back riding. Find a quiet and secluded spot to have a picnic with a friend or even by yourself. Go swimming in a lake or pond. Being outside can be very therapeutic. Fresh air and sunshine are natural remedies for the all of the things that ail us.
If you aren’t an outdoors type take a trip to the library and find some good books to read. Most libraries have a good selection of music CD’s and movies too. Find a hobby you can get interested in. Most hobby stores have classes available for their patrons. Knitting and crocheting is not just for little old ladies. Young people and adults, men and women, all have found that the rhythm of working with yarn can be quite peaceful. Don’t laugh until you’ve tried it. Take lessons in toll painting. That doesn’t require as much talent as it does patience. Think about giving ceramics a try. The list of possibilities is endless.
If you have found something different that works for you, let us hear about it. Your idea might be just the thing to keep another addict clean. If someone you know is experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol assure them that there is help available through A Better Tomorrow. All they need to do is make the call, A Better Tomorrow will take care of the rest.
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/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Get back to the basics of life. Take a walk and really check out nature. Smell the flowers, watch the birds, and try to identify the trees. Find a zoo and spend the day. Go horse back riding. Find a quiet and secluded spot to have a picnic with a friend or even by yourself. Go swimming in a lake or pond. Being outside can be very therapeutic. Fresh air and sunshine are natural remedies for the all of the things that ail us.
If you aren’t an outdoors type take a trip to the library and find some good books to read. Most libraries have a good selection of music CD’s and movies too. Find a hobby you can get interested in. Most hobby stores have classes available for their patrons. Knitting and crocheting is not just for little old ladies. Young people and adults, men and women, all have found that the rhythm of working with yarn can be quite peaceful. Don’t laugh until you’ve tried it. Take lessons in toll painting. That doesn’t require as much talent as it does patience. Think about giving ceramics a try. The list of possibilities is endless.
If you have found something different that works for you, let us hear about it. Your idea might be just the thing to keep another addict clean. If someone you know is experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol assure them that there is help available through A Better Tomorrow. All they need to do is make the call, A Better Tomorrow will take care of the rest.
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/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Twelve Step Program – Narcotics Anonymous
A twelve step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action to aid in the recovery from addiction. While twelve step programs have been adapted for use with a variety of compulsion and behavioral problems, this article will focus on its use to treat addiction.
Only two of the words, in two of the steps, of the Twelve Step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous were changed and became the foundation of Narcotics Anonymous. In the first step the word alcohol was replaced by ‘our addiction’. In the twelfth step the word alcoholics was replaced by ‘addicts’. NA is a nonprofit organization that supports men and women who have had major problems with drugs and addiction. The program is group oriented as are other twelve step programs. After Alcoholics Anonymous it is the second largest 12-step organization in existence. There are over 40,000 NA meetings that are conducted in over 125 countries.
Membership in Narcotics Anonymous is totally free. The only requirement to join is a desire to stop using. Meetings are held in a variety of public places such as libraries, hospitals, clinics, community centers, parks or church meeting rooms. Members find a home group, usually one with easy access for them. They are allowed to sit in on other groups particularly if they are out of the area where their home group is located. The group meets regularly to help each other stay clean.
NA defines "clean" as complete abstinence from all mood and mind altering substances, including alcohol. The only interest and focus of these groups is keeping its members clean. NA does not get involved in any outside issues including science, medicine or politics. It also does not endorse any other organizations or institutions. It does not advertise or promote itself in any way. They attract new members through public information and outreach, or word of mouth.
If you, or someone you love, are suffering with an addiction, A Better Tomorrow knows how to help. They are only waiting for your call. Be strong; make that call today to get yourself, or your loved one, on the road to recovery.
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/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Only two of the words, in two of the steps, of the Twelve Step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous were changed and became the foundation of Narcotics Anonymous. In the first step the word alcohol was replaced by ‘our addiction’. In the twelfth step the word alcoholics was replaced by ‘addicts’. NA is a nonprofit organization that supports men and women who have had major problems with drugs and addiction. The program is group oriented as are other twelve step programs. After Alcoholics Anonymous it is the second largest 12-step organization in existence. There are over 40,000 NA meetings that are conducted in over 125 countries.
Membership in Narcotics Anonymous is totally free. The only requirement to join is a desire to stop using. Meetings are held in a variety of public places such as libraries, hospitals, clinics, community centers, parks or church meeting rooms. Members find a home group, usually one with easy access for them. They are allowed to sit in on other groups particularly if they are out of the area where their home group is located. The group meets regularly to help each other stay clean.
NA defines "clean" as complete abstinence from all mood and mind altering substances, including alcohol. The only interest and focus of these groups is keeping its members clean. NA does not get involved in any outside issues including science, medicine or politics. It also does not endorse any other organizations or institutions. It does not advertise or promote itself in any way. They attract new members through public information and outreach, or word of mouth.
If you, or someone you love, are suffering with an addiction, A Better Tomorrow knows how to help. They are only waiting for your call. Be strong; make that call today to get yourself, or your loved one, on the road to recovery.
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/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
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