October 10, 2022
Habits can be beneficial or harmful. For those recovering from addiction, here are habits you need to change while going for addiction treatment for recovery.
A lot has been said about habits--how to form them, how to break them, etc.--and the discussion has been prevalent in various media platforms and general pop culture. It might sound cliche, but habits do shape our lives. Around 40% of our actions are not conscious decisions but habits. These habits or activities we seem ‘wired’ to do provide structure in our lives.
However, habits can go both ways in the beneficial vs harmful spectrum. For example, addiction is a habit that has gone awry. Thus, there will be habits you need to change while going for addiction treatment to rebuild healthy structures for recovery.
Our home life often has a central and complex function in various aspects of our lives, including health issues like substance abuse. The household can be a good source of encouragement and support for recovery from addiction. On the other hand, the behaviors we developed in private (and sometimes encouraged or tolerated in our households) can also trigger a relapse or a return to substance use after treatment.
A lasting substance-free life depends on a lot of variables. Studies have shown that families who see addiction as a moral failing often negatively impact their loved one’s rehabilitation. It means supportive relationships at home can positively affect a patient’s recovery and add to the longevity of their sobriety. Developing daily habits for recovering addicts at home on top of familial and community support provides a better structure to help the patient navigate rehabilitation.
On the physical level, our bodies rely on patterns such as heartbeats, breathing, neural connections, etc. This is also true for our mental health. According to various literature, individuals who establish daily routines are less stressed and more likely to get better sleep, eat better, be physically healthier, and use their time more effectively.
Routines make lives more manageable even during stressful situations. Developing structured routines help maintain a sense of balance and order, which can help boost self-esteem and encourages individuals to be accountable regarding their plans, actions, and behaviors. Thus, developing or building new habits and routines will be helpful, especially for those who are in the process of recovery.
Beginning your healing journey from addiction means facing the challenge of breaking old habits. Certain routines, behaviors, and practices will change as an alcoholic or someone struggling with substance use disorder to achieve longer-lasting sobriety. The choice to stay substance-free often leaves a void that needs to be filled with healthy activities.
For addiction treatment, like outpatient treatment, helpful home habits should be established. Your day-to-day will not be easy, especially early in your journey to sobriety. Thus, (re)building structure through routines will be helpful, as they guide your rhythm and keep your balance, as mentioned in the previous section. Being intentional in sticking to good habits like eating well, exercising, and sleeping well will ensure that your mind and body are in the right place. Good habits and routines support you, even in challenging, uncertain, or boring situations.
Eating well has always been fundamental in any health issue, especially during recovery from major illnesses or treatments. Apart from its immediate physical effects, various studies have shown that nutritional deficiencies can also affect our mental health, like depression. One study concludes that lacking specific amino acids plays a role in the onset, severity, and duration of mental illnesses like depression. These data highlight the importance of a balanced diet and how it can work wonders for your immune system and cell regeneration, support the function of your organs, and reduce risks of future diseases.
Various studies have proven the benefits of exercise, both physically and mentally. Besides its physical effects, such as strength, higher energy levels, and better balance, exercise releases endorphins that stabilize our moods, reduce our stress levels, and improve our overall health and well-being. Exercise also helps reduce cravings. With all its beneficial effects, exercise is considered the optimal coping mechanism, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Lack of quality sleep contributes to various health issues like cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, and diabetes. It also affects our moods and may contribute to depression and other mental illnesses. For patients in addiction treatment, sleep is found to be beneficial in reducing cravings. Here are tips to get better quality sleep.
How you spend your idle or extra time is one of the habits you need to change while going for addiction treatment. Prioritize regular downtime to connect with family, friends, and even yourself. Revisiting your interests, creating, being in nature, etc., often helps achieve the balance we need. Allowing space to connect to your environment, the people around you, and yourself help build that inner strength that will help you manage and navigate difficult situations during and after your treatment and rehabilitation.
One of the habits you also need to change while going for addiction treatment is to substitute your unhelpful routines and behavior with learning and exploring new ones. In the previous section, we discussed how sobriety often creates a void that problematic substance use used to occupy. This means a patient undergoing treatment needs to find new (helpful) activities to fill the gap. Besides revisiting interests and learning new hobbies and recreational activities, your faith can help in this area. Exploring faith or spirituality helps build inner strength, stability, and connectedness.
This sounds simple or even natural, but transitioning to the mundane activities of daily living, like going to school or work, paying bills, and other responsibilities, will be extra challenging for patients recovering from addiction. This is especially true for those coming from inpatient or residential treatment. If you relate to this hurdle, various options can be considered, like sober living homes.
Building a good network of friends, families, and mentors who support your recovery is also key to lasting sobriety. Moreover, knowing when and how to seek support will always be a helpful new habit in achieving addiction recovery. Ask for help when you struggle with stress, negative thoughts, and difficult emotions. Talk to your doctor or counselor or a family member or friend. Understanding that help is available and making it a habit to reach out will help you work through difficult thoughts and negative emotions and address them appropriately.
During your recovery, understanding your triggers for craving substances is essential. These can be emotional, physical, environmental, etc. Know what may cause you to seek the old ways and create plans to manage them. This can be as simple as calling someone you trust to support and keep you accountable as you get through a craving. Having plans to get through these triggers means overcoming cravings gets easier and easier each time.
Committing to your recovery circles back to the first point of this list: changing bad habits and replacing them with new and helpful ones. Healing and recovery will not always be easy. There will be instances where you will fumble, but practicing these habits will support you as you transition to the health and well-being you deserve.
Recovering from addiction can be overwhelming. More holistic programs are needed to address substance use disorder's physical and psychological burdens, and this is our pledge here at Another Chance. Here at Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center of Portland, we offer evidence-based services like alcohol and substance abuse counseling to help our patients heal and experience life to the fullest. We create a unique and safe environment to address the specific needs of young adults and professionals on their road to healing. If you are unsure about the services and programs for you or a loved one, we at Another Chance are here to help.
Set an appointment with us today. Visit us at 12670 NW Barnes Rd Suite 200, Portland, or reach us at (971) 272-8263.
.svg)
