Now that you are on the mend, you are wondering how to re-enter society successfully. It won’t be easy, but here we will guide you through some basic steps that will help you succeed.
You have successfully completed rehab, the first and most important step on your recovery journey. It means that you have modified your relationship with alcohol and decided to start a whole new life without it. You want to start a new chapter and become a productive and responsible member of society. How do you transition back into life?
You have successfully completed rehab, the first and most important step on your recovery journey. It means that you have modified your relationship with alcohol and decided to start a whole new life without it. You want to start a new chapter and become a productive and responsible member of society. How do you transition back into life?
First, let’s put things in perspective. In order to quit/drugs alcohol and have a successful recovery you have had to focus on yourself first and put some other important aspects of your life in pause: job, relationships, romance, amongst others. This is completely understandable and now that you have given up alcohol/drugs you must have realized that it was worth it and sobriety is the best thing you could do for yourself and your family.
Those who are or have ever gone through rehab know that it requires so much more than just motivation to stay clean and start living a wonderful and prosperous life. Some authors have even pointed out the importance of identity change processes, that occurs mainly through changes in social networks and related meaningful activities that can then lead to a non-addict identity.
You have started this process in rehab and now you just need to reinforce it by making some lifestyle changes. Some of them are pretty clear during the rehab process: some of your friendships will change (unsupportive friends or those that reinforced your using habits) and new healthy habits will have to be built.
You may have been advised that you need to stay away from anything that may trigger your desire to drink. This involves finding new places to visit, avoiding some friends (at least temporarily) and even get rid of some of the things you had at home (like wine bottles, medications for example); but on a more positive note it can also be an opportunity to create new- healthy routines, setting new goals for your life and give your life some structure to help you achieve them.
You have started this process in rehab and now you just need to reinforce it by making some lifestyle changes. Some of them are pretty clear during the rehab process: some of your friendships will change (unsupportive friends or those that reinforced your using habits) and new healthy habits will have to be built.
You may have been advised that you need to stay away from anything that may trigger your desire to drink. This involves finding new places to visit, avoiding some friends (at least temporarily) and even get rid of some of the things you had at home (like wine bottles, medications for example); but on a more positive note it can also be an opportunity to create new- healthy routines, setting new goals for your life and give your life some structure to help you achieve them.
What you need is to find out what will you do with your time now that drinking is no longer an option. Finding different hobbies and places to visit will help you fill that vacuum and it may even help you build some new friendships. If your able to overcome the fear that may be involved; this will pay off dividends.
The main thing is to find something that can keep you in line, and exercising is one of the best options to do so. The benefits of physical activity are well known: it will enhance your energy levels, increase your sense of well- being and even help you deal with addiction related symptoms like depression or anxiety.
A healthy lifestyle also involves a good diet. Make sure to cut out junk food, drink water and keep sugar and caffeine to a minimum. You will start seeing changes in your sleep patterns, level of energy and overall well-being very soon!
The main thing is to find something that can keep you in line, and exercising is one of the best options to do so. The benefits of physical activity are well known: it will enhance your energy levels, increase your sense of well- being and even help you deal with addiction related symptoms like depression or anxiety.
A healthy lifestyle also involves a good diet. Make sure to cut out junk food, drink water and keep sugar and caffeine to a minimum. You will start seeing changes in your sleep patterns, level of energy and overall well-being very soon!
What you need is to find out what will you do with your time now that drinking is no longer an option. Finding different hobbies and places to visit will help you fill that vacuum and it may even help you build some new friendships. Sober living is awesome if you allow it to be!
The main thing is to find something that can keep you in line, and exercising is one of the best options to do so. The benefits of physical activity are well known: it will enhance your energy levels, increase your sense of well- being and even help you deal with addiction related symptoms like depression or anxiety.
A healthy lifestyle also involves a good diet. Make sure to cut out junk food, drink water and keep sugar and caffeine to a minimum. You will start seeing changes in your sleep patterns, level of energy and overall well-being very soon!
The main thing is to find something that can keep you in line, and exercising is one of the best options to do so. The benefits of physical activity are well known: it will enhance your energy levels, increase your sense of well- being and even help you deal with addiction related symptoms like depression or anxiety.
A healthy lifestyle also involves a good diet. Make sure to cut out junk food, drink water and keep sugar and caffeine to a minimum. You will start seeing changes in your sleep patterns, level of energy and overall well-being very soon!
Employment has also been identified as a relevant element to predict rehab success. Having a job will not only allow you to support yourself, pay your bills and becoming the productive member of society you want to be, but it is also related to a better self – esteem amongst many other psychological benefits (and what better way to create a new routine, huh?).
Of course, getting a job is easier said than done for someone who has recently finished rehab and is going through a major lifestyle change, but if there’s something you can be sure of is that there will always be options.
One of them is to start from scratch. Accepting a job even if you are over qualified for it or if is not on your area of professional interest can be a good first step and with hard work, it can improve your chances to get a better job offer in the future. It is also a way to prove yourself (and potential employers) that you are trustworthy, responsible and capable to succeed.
Of course, getting a job is easier said than done for someone who has recently finished rehab and is going through a major lifestyle change, but if there’s something you can be sure of is that there will always be options.
One of them is to start from scratch. Accepting a job even if you are over qualified for it or if is not on your area of professional interest can be a good first step and with hard work, it can improve your chances to get a better job offer in the future. It is also a way to prove yourself (and potential employers) that you are trustworthy, responsible and capable to succeed.
Rehab is not an individual process and there will be ups and downs. This means social support will be key to build this new life and find some inspiration when motivation is no longer there. Previous research has shown the importance of healthy family relationships and having a reliable and unconditional support system that can help you go through this difficult journey.
Whereas friends and family tend to be the main source of support, the recent emergence of communitarian approaches has made social support a reality for those that are looking for any additional help in this journey and for those that unfortunately don’t count with enough –or healthy- support from their closest network. Consider joining support groups or seek from help whenever you need it, there are plenty of options available out there.
We tend to think about support as something passive, something that we can only receive from others, but this is not truth. Getting involved and contributing to your community in whatever way you find enjoyable or meaningful will help you feel useful again and gain back some of the trust you might have lost from the community members in the past.
You can do this by volunteering in shelters or non-profit organizations. If you feel confident enough, you can even share your experience with teenagers or at risk populations. The main thing is to find a way to contribute to your community in a positive and fulfilling manner.
Whereas friends and family tend to be the main source of support, the recent emergence of communitarian approaches has made social support a reality for those that are looking for any additional help in this journey and for those that unfortunately don’t count with enough –or healthy- support from their closest network. Consider joining support groups or seek from help whenever you need it, there are plenty of options available out there.
We tend to think about support as something passive, something that we can only receive from others, but this is not truth. Getting involved and contributing to your community in whatever way you find enjoyable or meaningful will help you feel useful again and gain back some of the trust you might have lost from the community members in the past.
You can do this by volunteering in shelters or non-profit organizations. If you feel confident enough, you can even share your experience with teenagers or at risk populations. The main thing is to find a way to contribute to your community in a positive and fulfilling manner.
Other important elements you will need to include in your routine are having proper rest and self-care time. Exercise and proper diet will contribute greatly to a healthy balanced lifestyle. Many find it beneficial to incorporate some sort of guidance as not to go to extremes.
Life after rehab is difficult for different reasons, and re- starting it is one of them. You have to know is possible, it will happen sooner or later. You just have to be patient, make some changes in your life and surround yourself by the right persons.
Life after rehab is difficult for different reasons, and re- starting it is one of them. You have to know is possible, it will happen sooner or later. You just have to be patient, make some changes in your life and surround yourself by the right persons.
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