By Jennifer McDougall
Addiction recovery is a journey, but it is not a life sentence. Instead, it’s a process that should be explored with the help of professionals and loved ones. This guide will cover what you can expect from your healing journey and how to prepare for it. If you’re ready to move forward towards achieving sobriety, consider using these tips and strategies to prepare for your road ahead:
Navigating the unfamiliar paths of addiction recovery can be frightening.
First, it’s important to admit you need help and be willing to accept the help that’s offered. This can be difficult for some people, especially if they don’t want to admit that they have a problem. If you resist the idea of getting clean and sober, it’s important to remember that change doesn’t happen overnight—and it’s certainly not easy to face your fears and traumas.
It takes time for your brain chemistry to heal after long-term substance use; this process is called neuroplasticity (the brain adapting by forming new connections). This means that even if you’ve been drinking or abusing drugs for years, there is still hope that your brain will change back into its natural state of being sober again. It will just take some time — but once those new connections and pathways start forming in place of old ones, they’ll stay with you throughout life as long as they’re nurtured with healthy behaviors like meditation and exercise.
Addiction is part of your story; it does not define you.
You are not your addiction. Addiction is a part of your story– your past but it does not define you.
You have the power to choose how you will define yourself and your future.
Recovery is a journey that requires courage and determination, but it is well worth the effort.
You do not need to label yourself an “addict” or “alcoholic.” These terms generated and promoted by the AA/12-Step community can be counterproductive to your healing and lasting sobriety.
When you accept that you are not your addiction, it’s easier to see how this affects your life. For example, labeling yourself only adds to the stigma and shame because of past mistakes or failures. It does not define you as a human being. Labeling yourself as an “addict” or “alcoholic” falsely convinces individuals to feel like a failure and makes it difficult for people to recover from substance abuse-related issues fully.
When dealing with any addiction-related issue, it’s essential not only for the individual but also for those around them (family members and friends) not to label them as an “addict.” Labels can be very harmful when used by others because they often have little basis in reality. For example, just because someone once had an issue with drugs and alcohol does not mean they are an “addict.” It only means they once had a problem with drugs and alcohol but later recovered, changed their ways, and healed.
Addiction recovery is not a sprint; it’s a marathon—and it’s different for everyone.
As you begin your journey to recovery, it is essential to remember that addiction recovery is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It takes time and dedication to change your life for the better. You will have setbacks along the way, but these setbacks can be used as learning opportunities. The most important thing to remember when dealing with addiction and its consequences is that you are not alone. Millions of people struggle with substance abuse every day and have done so in the past, which means countless people understand what you are going through right now—and they want nothing more than to help guide you on this journey toward healing and wholeness.
You’ll need to change your life regarding people, places, and routines.
- Recognizing that you need a change is the first observation in creating a healthier life. Unfortunately, you may identify an issue or problem but not know how to fix it. That’s where Passages Addiction Treatment Centers can help you.
- Be open to change and willing to try new things. For example, if you have been drinking alcohol every day after work for years, try going to the gym or for a swim after work to decompress from the hectic day. Change up your routine by replacing harmful activities with healthy ones.
- Being able to adapt is important because sometimes our lives don’t always go accordingly as we want them to but being able to adapt allows us flexibility when life throws curves at us unexpectedly–this will save us from feeling stuck or frustrated because nothing seems right anymore; it also helps prevent burnout which leads straight back into toxic behaviors such as drinking again.
- You with likely shed toxic friends from your life, which is a good thing. You must be cautious of who you spend time with, take advice from, and notice how they affect your life.
- Get involved in non-12-step sober communities that empower you and help you build connections with like-minded people.
- Practice mindfulness in everything you do, from what you spend money on, how you spend your time, and which thoughts you dwell on.
Going to rehab is the best place to start.
Here at Passages Addiction Treatment Centers, we understand the challenges you face regarding addiction recovery. To help you get on track to lasting sobriety, we offer a safe place where you can discover and heal the underlying conditions of your substance abuse-related issues. In addition, our detox program is designed to transition individuals from active addiction into sobriety without overwhelming them or causing severe discomfort.
Our non-12-step addiction rehab center in Southern California offers multiple holistic treatment programs customized specifically for each person’s needs and goals. In addition, our staff is dedicated to providing individualized care to ensure that each client receives the most effective treatment possible while they’re here with us. We have found that this approach works best compared to a one-size-fits-all approach.
Your parents, spouse, and children probably need you to get better than you realize.
You may have been so overwhelmed by your addiction that you forgot about the people who love and depend on you. When you get sober and begin to heal, remember that many of them are hoping for a better life for you. They want to see you happy, healthy, and whole.
Your spouse or partner might feel guilty about not being able to help or guide you through this challenging time, but they shouldn’t feel bad. Addiction is a complex issue—something at Passages we understand deeply. Our therapists will work with you to help you rebuild broken relationships and guide you on your path as you become fully aware of why you were using and abusing drugs and alcohol to begin with. They will work with you to help heal past traumas and get to the core motivators behind your choices. This allows you to understand yourself on a deeper, more profound level, unlike ever before.
The road to recovery will take time, but it will be worth it.
The road to recovery will take time, but it will be worth it.
You will get better.
You will be happier.
You will be healthier.
You will be more productive.
You will be more successful.
You will be more confident.
And you’ll feel more connected with your true self, those around you, and the world around you—all of which is a great start for finding happiness in life.
When you have the right support system and the right plan, your future can be brighter than ever.
As you begin the healing process, it’s essential to have the right support system in place. You should also be open to trying new things and be open-minded about your journey. To make sure that you’re doing everything right, take a look at these common mistakes people make as they embark on their recovery journey:
- Not having a sound support system
- Not being patient with the process
- Giving up too easily
- Being unwilling to try new things
An empowering philosophy for life is essential for you to blossom into the healthiest and happiest version of yourself.
An empowering philosophy for life is an outlook on life that helps you to see your circumstances in a positive light and motivates you to change your behavior for the better. For example, someone with an empowering philosophy may believe, “I am in control of my destiny,” or “I don’t have to be perfect at everything.” An empowering philosophy can be applied in many areas of your life: work, relationships, and even healing.
Empowering philosophies can help individuals overcome challenges in recovery because they encourage them to keep going when things get tough if you don’t have them as tools available to them when it feels like everything is falling apart around them. The key here is finding something motivating enough (like mantras or daily affirmations) so that your initial desire for change outweighs any temptations from drugs/alcohol or opposing forces outside yourself.
Trust the healing process.
You must trust the healing process. You must trust that you are doing the right thing and will soon get better. You must also trust your therapist to help you heal and grow. You need to be open with your therapist and share any feelings or thoughts that may come up during therapy sessions so that they can help guide your treatment plan accordingly.
Be open to trusting the people around you: family members, friends, and others supporting you on this journey. They want nothing but good health and happiness for you. Practice trusting yourself as well; believe in yourself so that when hard times arrive (and they will), it won’t be too much for you to handle alone without support. Regardless of what you have been told, you are stronger than your addiction. You hold the keys to your destiny. You must trust yourself to consistently make good choices that align with your personal philosophy and mission in life.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please do not hesitate to seek help. You are not alone in this journey, and many resources are available to support you on the path to recovery.
Non-12-Step Addiction Rehab at Passages
Passages Malibu is an alternative to traditional rehab that provides a holistic, client-centered approach to addiction treatment. Find lasting healing through our model of care and experiential therapies. You will uncover the root causes of your addiction, and we will provide you with tools for lifelong sobriety and change. We can help you turn your life around and find hope again. Call (888) 397-0112 today for more information.
