Perhaps you went through a medically monitored drug detox followed by a medically monitored substance abuse treatment program. Maybe you have managed to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and have quit using alcohol and drugs on your own. No matter how you do it, putting down alcohol and drugs is the easiest part of the recovery process. The real work begins with living life clean and in recovery. Recovery is a complex, ever-changing process of personal growth. It is based on one basic concept: if you do not use a drug or if you do not pick up a drink, you can’t get high or drunk. That concept is then reinforced by the positive actions you take to foster your sobriety. Before we discuss the ways to strengthen your recovery, we should quickly discuss what is involved in making a commitment to recovery from drug addictions.
A commitment to recovery is a commitment to oneself. This commitment provides you with a sense of purpose and gives meaning to your new, sober lifestyle. Such meaning is a powerful motivator. Indeed, it can propel you when times get difficult. Your committed purpose also helps you develop your sense of personal control. As everything in the recovery process is interconnected, success in one area leads to success in another. Your determination can grow along with your commitment to recovery. Learning how to strengthen your recovery after your treatment through an aftercare program and alumni program are great steps to take to keep yourself successful in your goals.
10 Ways to Strengthen Your Recovery
Once you complete your addiction treatment programs, consider the following ways to strengthen your recovery journey:
- Develop gratitude for small things
- Create a discipline of healthy living
- Attend 12 Step meetings
- Build a strong support group
- Foster behaviors that increase self-esteem
- Keep promises
- Take responsibility for your actions
- Do service and help others
- Develop new habits
- Maintain a willingness to change
Life is a series of everchanging set of events, most of which are out of your control. Acceptance and recognition help you stay in recovery regardless of the stress, or unexpectedness an event may bring. There is an expression in 12 Step groups that says, “You can’t control it, you didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it”. In the end, you are only responsible for how you respond to the event and your emotions. Learning to deal with your emotions is part of the recovery process. That process begins in substance abuse treatment and continues through an aftercare plan, which most likely will include individual counseling.
Aftercare and Alumni with Lakeview Health
At Lakeview Health, we provide both aftercare and alumni services to help our clients to strengthen their recovery once treatment is complete. Our aftercare services help by creating relapse prevention plans. During this time, clients can identify what might be triggering for them once they return home and to their daily life. Identifying these triggers can help them plan out how they wish to handle the situations instead of turning to abuse harmful substances.
Our active alumni network is also crucial to strengthen your recovery. Our private online group allows alumni members to interact with one another in realtime, allowing them to provide one another with words of support and guidance when needed. Building these bonds within a support system will help to strengthen your recovery because not only do you feel the support of others, but you also have people around you holding you accountable.
Whether you want to strengthen your recovery or wish to begin your recovery journey, our team is here to help. Contact Lakeview Health today using our secure online form.
Lakeview Health strives to keep our clients and staff safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about new guidelines and updates today.
We currently accept Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. We do not currently accept Medicare, Medicaid, or Florida Blue.
