THE TOOLS OF RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION

THE TOOLS OF RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION

(New Beginnings Aftercare Programme — SANCA National)

 

The First Rule of Recovery

You don't recover from an addiction by stop using. You recover by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. If you don't create a new life, then all factors that brought you to your addiction will eventually catch up with you again.

You don't have to change everything in your life. But there are a few things and behaviours that have been getting you into trouble, and they will continue to get you into trouble until you let them go. The more you try to hold onto your old life in recovery, the less well you will do.

Here are the three most common things that people need to change in order to achieve recovery. (Rule number one covered in this newsletter edition.)  

Avoid High–Risk Situations

Some common high-risk situations are described by the acronym, HALT:

Hungry

Anger

Lonely

Tired

 

How do you feel at the end of the day?

You’re probably hungry because you haven't eaten well. You’re probably angry because you’ve had a rough day at work or a tough commute home. You may feel lonely because you’re isolated. You don't have to be physically alone to feel lonely. And you’re tired. That’s why your strongest cravings usually occur at the end of the day. Here’s another way of looking at high-risk situations:

People. (Avoid co-users from the past. People who you have conflict with, and who make you want to use. People who you celebrate with by using. People who encourage you to use either directly or indirectly.)

Places: (Also avoid places where you have used drugs and/or alcohol.)

Things: (Things that remind you of using.)

How can you avoid high-risk situations?

Of course, you can’t always avoid these situations. If you’re aware of them, they won’t influence you and you can prevent little cravings that can turn into major urges.

Take better care of yourself.  Eat a healthier lunch so you’re not as hungry at the end of the day. Join a group so that you don’t feel isolated. Learn how to relax so that you can let go of your anger and resentments. Develop better sleep habits so that you’re less tired.

Avoid your drinking friends, your favorite bar, and having alcohol in the house. Avoid people whom you use your substance of choice with. Avoid your dealer’s neighborhood and other paraphernalia.   

Recovery isn’t about one big change. It’s about lots of  little changes. Avoiding those high-risk situations help you to create a new life where it’s easier not to use.

Make a list of your high-risk situations.

Addiction is sneaky. Sometimes you won’t see your high-risk situations until you’re right in the middle of one. That’s why it’s important to be aware of those risks. Make a list of your high risk situations and keep it with you. Go over the list with someone in recovery so that they can spot any situations that you might have missed. Make the list and keep it with you. Some day that list may save your life.

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KINDLY SHARE YOUR IDEAS WITH US ON RULE NUMBER ONE