Early substance abuse recovery holds a major contradiction: The path to recovery becomes easier when you learn to accept the more difficult path. When you think about it, recovering from addiction requires great intensity and courage, addressing the sufferings and traumas of your past, and accepting that there may be many tasks in front of you. Typically, it can take a considerable amount of pain and harmful effects to bring someone to the point of deciding to get help and find a new, sober life. Recovery is not an easy-going road; but it sure tops the “path of least resistance in continuing to use alcohol and drugs
Because this new path does have more than its fair share of hurdles – early recovery can be a true test of your inner strength and resolve. Here are four common missteps – and how to avoid them – in order to progress your early recovery into long-term sobriety.
1. Expecting Instant Results
There is no cure, and you didn’t get into addiction overnight. Coming out of it requires the same amount of tenure you gave to addiction. The fact that you were using drugs and alcohol in excess is likely to have been a contributor to many of your troubles, but the fact is – there’s a lot more to tidy up. Addiction is a disease that tells us to want what we want, when we want it. That said, we wish everyone a long, slow, and sustainable recovery!
2. Keeping Up with the Joneses
It’s easy for us to compare our worst characteristics to the best qualities of other people. You may know someone who appears to have all their stuff together, someone who is more in shape, has more income, or is more physically appealing. However, that’s all superficial mumbo jumbo. All you see is what those people are portraying to those around them. You know what’s going on within your mind and body, but you don’t know what goes on with other people. When you measure yourself to others, it’s like apples and oranges. Best to play your own ball!
3. Worrying About Tomorrow
Prepare for the future but remain in the present day. It’s a simple notion that is not so simple to follow – especially in early recovery. toiling towards your goals in early sobriety means being focused on the here and now. Think about what you can do right now for your addiction recovery. What can you do right now to make keep tomorrow on track? Doing something today to better yourself will ensure tomorrow is congruent to your goals. Plus, you will hit the pillow feeling a sense of achievement.
4. Taking on Too Much
You’ve finally taken the road to good health and are finally free from the drugs and alcohol that used to consume you. Not only is your basic wellbeing improving, but your mental health is too. But just because you are healing doesn’t mean you should sign onto a hundred responsibilities. Early recovery is your time to adapt and concentrate on yourself. It’s a time to discover what is necessary and important in your sober life. By doing so, you’ll ease pressure and feelings of overload that can tilt you like a pinball machine. Keep it simple people!
Making a conscious effort each day to progress towards a life of recovery will help you to accomplish your recovery goals. Evading these missteps and always making recovery your main concern will help you to get there.
Simple Path Recovery is a beach side, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as an intimate Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.
