A lot gets said about the state of addiction in America. And you can understand why. A staggering 11.2% of people aged 12 or over partake in illicit drug use every month. It’s clearly an issue that needs addressing.
But what about the people who overcome addiction and come through the other side? Drug-related difficulties don’t stop at sobriety. Life after quitting drugs brings its own set of challenges to overcome. Do you want some tips for starting a new life after addiction? Keep reading.
1. Be Patient and Compassionate
Recovery from addiction is a long, roller-coaster ride of a journey. You might have come through the worst of it. But you can expect a fair few bumps in the road to come. Patience and compassion are two vital attributes for an effective path to recovery.
Naturally, you want everything to get back to normal ASAP. But there’s no rushing recovery. A patient and compassionate approach will help you stay positive and persevere for as long as it takes. It’ll empower you to last the distance and weather the storms to come.
2. Put Your Wellbeing & Sobriety First
Anybody who’s battled addiction understands how all-consuming it becomes. You turn into someone who your sober self would no longer recognize. Drugs are your priority and you’ll lie, steal, and cheat your way to getting them.
Having worked so hard to get through to the other side, you owe it to yourself to prioritize your wellbeing (and sobriety) above all else. Go home early from work if it’s getting too intense, skip work and family get-togethers if there’s going to be partying involved, and so on. By acting in your own interests first, you’re far more likely to avoid relapsing.
3. Choose Your Friends Wisely
Many recovering addicts self-isolate in their efforts to stay sober. However, there’s great value in being around a group of supportive people. They can offer encouragement and distraction, helping to lift your spirits and sustain ailing levels of motivation. Make sure you only hang out with friends who are sober though.
Being around drinking and drug-taking can make it tempting to relapse- especially if you’re egged on by the people you’re around. Remember, put yourself first. It’s okay to say no to old friends who don’t have your best interests at heart.
4. Eat Well & Exercise Regularly
Let’s face it, addiction is never great for your physical health. Now’s the time to turn that around. Try to get into better habits of eating and exercising. Eat regular, healthy, and balanced meals; try to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. The result? You’ll feel better in every sense, have the energy and will to resist any cravings that occur, and distract yourself from bouts of low mood.
Time to Start Your Life After Addiction
Life after addiction isn’t easy. Far from it. Recovery is a long, difficult process with endless highs and lows. However, with the right approach, you can (and will) create an amazing new life after quitting drugs.
Hopefully, the tips in this post will help you do it, if not check how simple meditation can help you through addiction recovery.