By Jennifer McDougall
If you are someone who just completed treatment and are looking to get back home and resituated into the comfort of your own surroundings you may be wondering what to do when you get there. First off, it’s important for friends and family to know that you are sober now and ready to focus on creating a lifestyle that reflects your good choices and healthy habits. If you are lucky, they will be supportive.
In some cases, family and friends have pushed back and said things like, “No you don’t need to eliminate certain things entirely. You just need to learn to use in moderation.” If you are someone who has a track record of addiction and abuse this may not be the best advice for you to hear.
You must feel comfortable and confident with your choices. They are only yours to make and when the influence of other people weighs in too deep it’s easy to get sidetracked. Don’t let this happen. Know who your true friends are and lean on those who support your choices to better yourself. This is the best possible way for people to respect you and your new lifestyle.
When you get back home, try to avoid all the people, places, and things that would encourage drug or alcohol use before you went into treatment. Remind yourself that this is a new path you are walking down and the only time you need to look back is to see how far you have come. Here are a few ideas to keep yourself on course:
- Go to bed (9-10pm) and wake up early (6-7am).
- Sign up for a local gym and attend 3-4 times a week.
- Take weekly lessons for a sport you enjoy.
- Fill your bookshelf with new reading material.
- Stock up on delicious and non-processed food and beverage items (no sodas).
- Plan your meals each week without overdoing it.
- Attend local events (art shows, sporting events, live music).
- Travel to places you’ve never been before.
- Buy an assortment of herbal teas.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol.
- Distance yourself from toxic people who make you feel less than amazing.
- Pick up a new hobby such as photography, drawing, reading, writing, golf, tennis, or basketball.
- Utilize a daily planner and to-do lists to make the most of your day.
- Spend time outdoors and in the sun to get vitamin D and fresh air.
- Keep track of your goals and aspirations.
- Learn new skills to better your career.
- Spend quality one on one time with those you love and who make you laugh.
- Let go of regrets from the past.
- Maintain stable relationships.
- Keep a level head and learn patience when necessary so that anxiety does not get the best of you.
Creating a productive routine for yourself will help broaden your perspective on life and what you are capable of achieving. The best way to create this routine is by practicing a set of tasks every day that makes you feel good about yourself and ensure absolute peace of mind. Crossing things off your list as you go and doing your best not to procrastinate on difficult tasks will help keep you motivated.
When you spend 30-45 minutes at the gym 3-4 times a week will not only help transform your body and release anxiety and tension, it will help you focus at work, at home, and on yourself. Exercise is essential to getting and staying healthy.
For other sober lifestyle tips, please read our other articles on the Passages Blog site and share them with friends, family, and co-workers. You are not alone in your journey to get and stay sober.
Call Passages Addiction Treatment Centers today if you or a loved one is battling an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Our admissions department is available 24/7 and can be reached directly by calling our toll-free number at (888) 397-0112. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
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