Drug addiction is a tricky topic to tackle. It's not just about the physical and mental consequences but also how this can affect your entire life due to circumstances out of your control, such as family dynamics or past trauma.
Drug addicts are often looked down upon by society because people don't understand that other factors contribute beyond harmful habits. It may include smoking cigarettes or consuming alcohol, leading them into an episode where they feel compelled to use drugs again even though their health has deteriorated significantly over time.
The journey of ridding your body of drugs is arduous, no doubt. Months of therapy, medical treatment, and disconnection from the world are demanding and tiring. The result, however, is rewarding: a recovering body, better body function, and a more active outlook on life.
Rehab is done in a very controlled environment, and real-life offers none of that leniency. However, the actual challenge lies in continuing the drug-free journey post-rehab. It's back to the old grind, riddled with worries and piled-up problems. Such high-stress scenarios are bound to trigger back old habits; in other words, relapse. Here's a compilation of helpful tips to aid you in your journey to a clean life during stressful times.
Therapy
Seeing a therapist is a great way to keep your urges and mental health in check. Suppose you feel that it's becoming challenging to stay clean. In that case, there are facilities around the country to help you on the journey. Institutes such as the Delphi Behavioral Health Group have a reputation for assisting people in coping with such addiction challenges. Hence, if you need help, do not hesitate to seek therapy if you think your urges will better you.
Keeping Good Company
During this transition, the people around you can make all the difference. If you hang around with your old 'pals' who still use drugs are not the people to be around. It's very natural to have urges, and you'll have a greater likelihood of relapsing if you stick around with them. Find a new group of friends who support your good habits, encourage you to take the healthier route in life, in short, keep you accountable.
The urge to use substances comes and goes, and it's challenging to deal with them, even if they come in short spurts. Find a coping mechanism to tackle those urges. Many people find chewing gum an effective manner of distracting themselves from these urges. In real life, there are many stresses and worries, but with a supportive network, you can get the help you need rather than resorting to substances to relieve you of your fears.
Mental Health
Mental health plays a significant role in your journey with substances. Lots of people with poor mental health hinge on hard drugs to achieve an euphoric high. Drugs provide an escape from the dark state of your mind and make the users dependent on them.
After rehab, it's essential to keep your mental health in order as it can be a significant trigger for relapse. Regular therapy is effective to ease the stress up there, but it can only do so much. Therapy happens for limited hours of the week, and it's up to you to manage the time between those sessions.
The best habit that you can adopt is regular meditation. For that, select a peaceful time of the day to truly hear your thoughts and self-reflect (usually early in the morning). Not only does it make you more self-aware, but it also helps you achieve inner peace.
Journaling is another effective habit. Writing down your thoughts is a great mechanism to cope and then reflect.
Physical Health
The use of drugs dramatically affects your physical health, and taking up some forms of exercise is a great way to keep your mind away from them. Yoga is considered the best form of exercise for meditation and to keep up with physical health. You're connecting with your inner self while also speeding up your body in the process of healing.
Going for walks/runs, preferably in areas with incredible scenery, is the best form of therapy you can get from nature. You're effectively burning a lot of calories, while green surroundings also work wonders on your mental health. It's also an effective way to keep your mind off of drugs. Some use these outings as a coping mechanism against their urges.
Travel
Traveling away from your worries is the most significant investment you can make on yourself. People travel and go for hikes/treks on mountains for the sake of adventure, and as a recovering addict, this can be a great way to get away from all of that. In the great wilderness, away from all the drugs and alcohol, you'll be cleansing your body of all the toxins. The activities done in these spots also have significant benefits for your physical health, and absorbing the scenic beauty only improves your mental health. This change of scenery will also distract you from your urges.
Integrating back into society means that at some point you will be a part of social gatherings. If you've had problems with alcohol, try and have a story prepared to avoid it or any other 'poison of choice' as another swing at it can cause a relapse. It's essential to keep peer pressure in check and know your limits
Conclusion
The journey after overcoming addiction is no joke; you can only overcome that thorny path, depending on your outlook. Keep yourself around good people and be in touch with yourself. Do not be afraid to seek help. Make lifestyle changes and firm limits for yourself in your dealings with other people. Invest in yourself; it's the one that'll pay dividends.
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