New Year, Fresh Start
Forget what happened in the past and do not dwell on events from long ago. I’m going to do something NEW – it’s already happening, don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land Isaiah 43:18-19 (GW)
Make 2024 your BEST RECOVERY YEAR by adding these 10 tools to your WELLNESS PLAN
- Know Your Relapse Triggers
The better you know what your triggers are, the things that bring on a desire to use, the better you will be able to plan for ways to deal with the triggers. Taking time to really think through the emotions connected with using – anger, depression, irritation, anxiety, and discomfort – is an important first step in handling the desire to use
- Join a Support Group
Many people think of 12-step meetings when they think of support groups, but other groups meet a variety of needs. Do your research and find a group that is right for you
- Make Positive Lifestyle Changes
Avoiding relapse starts with decreasing stress levels, improving mood, and pursuing wellness. This means eating healthy foods, sleeping well every night, and adding regular exercise to your daily schedule. The better you feel, the easier it is to manage frustrations and unexpected emotions without turning to your drug of choice.
- Pray
Praying will help stay in contact with a power greater than you. When you pray, stay in the moment not judging whether it’s good or bad, just focusing on what you desire. Start with the Serenity Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, Just Pray
- Find Stable Employment
Financial stress often triggers relapse, make it a priority to find and maintain employment. First, it may be necessary to take whatever legal job option is available to pay your bills. After having a work history, the ability to develop a budget and some savings, it’s easier to look for other job opportunities
- Establish Goals
Career goals, personal goals, goals to accomplish with family or close friends and recovery goals are important. People who know what they want in any area of life learn to avoid stagnation, boredom, and depression. Once you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, create an action plan that breaks the goal up into manageable pieces. Keep track of progress with a calendar and celebrate every victory.
- Work with a Recovery Coach
A recovery coach or a life coach helps someone organize the details of a sober life. For anyone unsure of how to fill time, recovery coaches offer help figuring out goals and making plans to achieve them. They also offer support when going to a stressful family event or other situations that could bring on a relapse
- Practice Gratitude
Anyone who survives addiction knows the act is worth gratitude. But staying sober means avoiding thoughts that bring a person down or trigger a desire to use. Rather than thinking about past wrongs, reliving past choices in addiction, or drowning in sadness, it’s far more helpful to focus on the beauty of life.
- Take Some Me Time
While it’s important to attend therapy sessions, support groups and maintain mental health, these healthy activities also take up time. Although some of your goals may seem more important: finding a job. going back to school, and spending time with family and friends. But remember time for relaxation is just as important: write it on the daily schedule and don’t forget to do it.
- Learn How to Say No
Sometimes, to make up for past poor choices, many people in recovery feel obligated to say yes whenever someone asks for help. No is a complete sentence, establishing and maintaining boundaries is very important.
©Wanda Currie
Vision of Recovery believes in and practices a non-denominational Christian perspective to Addiction Recovery/Mental Health Care. Vision of Recovery integrates biblically based information with coaching and counseling interventions to treat the whole person: Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physically.