Life after rehab can have ups and downs, but you can take several steps to prevent relapse and enjoy a bright future. Here are a few strategies.
In treatment, you’ll identify the people, places, and situations that might influence your substance use. For instance, peer pressure can be a powerful motivator for substance use. People who built friendships around substance use often find it more difficult to attend parties, share meals, and maintain relationships while staying sober.
As a result, sober friends are a vital resource when you’re in recovery. There are also many activities you can enjoy to avoid boredom, including:
You can significantly benefit from attending follow-up appointments after completing formal treatment. Counselors can help you:
Ultimately, the work you put into your recovery and follow-up appointments is vital to your long-term success.
Returning to your old routine can introduce stress and anxiety, especially when dealing with cravings and triggers. As a result, you’ll want to focus on the positives of your situation to avoid relapse. Try to find moments in your day when you can do something beneficial, such as exercising or practicing mindfulness meditation.
Meditation can help you clear any anxiety or fear from your mind as you focus on accepting troublesome thoughts and allowing them to pass through you without judgment. The same is true for exercise, as it triggers the release of endorphins to help you feel happy, effectively decreasing depression and anxiety. You can get exercise by walking your dog, swimming, or lifting weights at the gym.
Research shows that helping others can boost health and well-being, supporting overall recovery. Helping people or animals in need can be a rewarding experience, as you can extend your compassion while distracting yourself from triggers. There are numerous ways you can give back to your community, including:
As we mentioned, 30-day rehab programs are only the beginning of addiction recovery. At Gateway Foundation, we offer comprehensive treatment programs and opportunities to connect with a supportive alumni community. These alumni resources can help increase your chances of maintaining sobriety.
We encourage each Gateway Foundation graduate to take advantage of the ongoing support programs available at each of our treatment centers to cultivate healthy relationships that will last a lifetime. You’ll have various opportunities to help others and promote your recovery efforts from alumni meetings and support group gatherings to community events and outings.
