Breaking away from substance abuse and working towards sobriety are major steps to take and can often be harder than anyone realises. However, taking the necessary steps to change your life is crucial in the recovery process and there are a few things that can make the journey more manageable and truly make the world of difference. Here are a few steps to take.
Get Professional Help
Making the decision to break away from your addiction and recover is something that is entirely up to you, but once that decision is made, you don’t have to walk the road alone. Getting professional help is going to be a key step in helping you know how to get through the toughest moments and offer you the stability and support you need. For example, if you’re in the Dallas area, consider a program like what you might find with sober living at Lighthouse Recovery Texas, which will help you through the early stages and teach you how to get back on your feet.
Build a Support System
Even with professional help getting you through your day-to-day recovery process, having a support system from the people who care about you is crucial and one of the most helpful factors in working through an addiction. Oftentimes, relationships are left damaged after going through addiction but make an effort to reconnect with people in your life and also work on building new relationships with people who will understand your needs and keep you away from uncomfortable or risky situations.
Prioritise Your Physical Health
Substance abuse puts your body through a lot. Making the decision to stay sober is also a decision to take better care of your body, and it’s one that you should take seriously. Commit to working on your health in every aspect, not just managing your addiction. Pay attention to your nutrition and hydration, work towards having a healthy sleep schedule and incorporate exercise in a way that feels good for both your mind and your body. The feeling of doing something positive for your health is extremely motivating and fuelling yourself correctly will make every step of the recovery process a little easier too.
Occupy Your Mind
There are going to be times when things feel unmanageable – it’s an unavoidable part of any difficult journey. It’s important, in times like those, to have something to lean on to distract yourself and to make you feel calm, relaxed and capable. Picking up a hobby of some sort is an extremely helpful element in recovery from substance abuse. Go back to an old hobby that you’re familiar with and haven’t dedicated time to in a while, or perhaps try out something completely new. Having a creative outlet and something to do with your hands is stimulating for your mind and quite therapeutic – try out some fun hobbies like painting, knitting or embroidery. If you relieve stress more actively, try out a gym membership or get outside for some hiking and exploring on the weekends.