Staying sober once you leave rehab can be difficult in and of itself. It takes a lot of willpower to not relapse, now that there is no longer the structure around you. However, there are specific tips you can keep with you so that you can remain disciplined and stay on the path you’ve built for yourself. Here are five ways you can prevent a relapse in the future.
1. Changing Your Environment
If you’ve attended a quality orange county drug rehab facility, then they’ve likely told you that you might have to change what your social scene is for the rest of your life. Going back to the same environments and social circles can be triggering for some people’s addiction, making it difficult for them to remain sober. This could mean that you have to form new friend circles or actively avoid situations that would put you around alcohol or certain drugs.
2. Setting Achievable Goals
Focus on small attainable goals that help you to stay motivated on your sobriety journey. It can be something as simple as going to at least five support meetings in a month. Small goals will soon grow into larger goals that don’t seem too difficult to achieve. If you need some motivation, you can set goals with a friend so that you have someone to talk to on those days when you feel like you’re struggling.
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Practice Self-Care
What is considered self-care is going to look different for everyone. It could be exercising every day, going to the park for a walk, attending a spa treatment, or treating yourself to a nice coffee at the end of the day. Taking care of your physical and mental health will keep you in a positive mindset so that you can stick to your plan and prevent triggers from sending you into a relapse.
4. Developing A Support System
One of the best ways to stay sober is to have a support system in place. It could be attending support groups, seeking therapy with a mental health professional, or having people around you understand what you’re going through and are willing to help you out with your sobriety journey. It’s good to have people who are eager to keep you positive when you feel like you’re going to relapse.
5. Celebrating The Milestones
Looking at the milestones you’ve made can feel a little cheesy, but there is great importance in focusing on them. Not everyone can get through the rehabilitation part of addiction, so the fact that you’ve gone through it and are choosing to stick with sobriety is a big achievement.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse or are finding it difficult to stay sober, then feel free to contact your healthcare professional or speak to an addiction specialist. They can work with you to draft the best plan for you so that the rehabilitation process is as pain-free as possible. Addiction is isolating but that doesn’t mean you have to be alone in achieving sobriety.