You may have fallen on some tough times in the past and dealt with addiction. But now, you are on the road to recovery. Congratulations! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Addiction is a serious problem that can affect people from all walks of life. In Arizona alone, at least 790 people died from opioid overdose in 2016.
To make matters worse, the number of fatalities from drug overdose has been increasing in recent times. And millions more around the state and country continue to remain in the grip of addiction. So, the fact that you have taken steps to beat the addiction already makes you a winner.
That being said, you may still be struggling to stay on course. If that is the case, you may need to explore other options on how to keep moving forward. Here are a few dos and don’ts of addiction recovery.
Don’t Hang Out in Places You Used to Frequent
It can be very tempting to go back to the places you used to frequent – those places where drugs and alcohol flowed freely, and where you used to enjoy yourself. You may think that you are now strong enough to avoid being pulled back into the drug culture. That could be true, but it’s best not to tempt fate. There is only so much temptation you can avoid. Sooner or later those places will pull you back in. And the next time you deal with addiction, you may not be as lucky.
Do Participate in Support Groups
The most important thing to remember when recovering from addiction is that you are not alone. There are many more like you who are also struggling to stay on track. Joining an addiction support group filled with people who have gone through the same journey can help a lot. They understand best how bad withdrawal can be, and how to overcome it. You can freely discuss your own struggles without fear of judgement.
Having the support of your peers, who are going through the same thing you are, will benefit you. They will encourage you and share their coping mechanisms for when the going gets tough. Additionally, they will serve as your accountability partners and become your shoulder to cry on when you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
Sometimes life can overwhelm you. And the pressure is enough to send you back to where you were. But don’t let the addiction win. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask for it anywhere it’s offered – from your religious leaders to your institutional counselors. You can even ask for help from online addiction recovery forums. There is no shame in admitting your weakness. You would be surprised how kind and helpful people can be when you give them a chance to help.
Do Consider Alternative Housing
Sometimes you may not have anyone close to you who is willing to support you in your addiction recovery journey. If your own home is not a safe space, you may want to consider looking for transitional housing in Phoenix, AZ. Such homes encourage sober living by providing the structure you need to empower yourself mentally. You will learn how to control your urges and reintegrate into society so you can stay clean for good.
Conclusion
Even if you have the support you need at home, it is always a good idea to get as much help as you can. Surrounding yourself with various support systems will help stabilize you mentally and emotionally. The skills you learn in a sober living home will guide you when you go back to the real world.
