How to Plan a Successful Recovery
When it comes to working with a certified addiction counselor on your recovery, you’ll quickly learn that it’s more than just avoiding alcohol or drugs; it’s about replacing alcohol and drugs with positive things that give your life meaning and help you stay happy and healthy. One of the challenges of recovery is that you may find yourself with more free time than you were expecting – time you used to fill with your substance of choice. There are many different types of rehab facilities, and they will all agree on the importance to fill this time with healthy new habits. It may take some time, but practice indeed does make perfect when it comes to the Rule of 5.
The Rule of 5 is simple. Set a goal for yourself to do five activities every single day; they are fundamental to your recovery success. These specific activities do not have to be the same for everyone. One person might choose to read, write, think, file, and learn something new – every day. With practice, you’ll discover which five things are the most important to your unique sobriety. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
1) Self-Care + Honesty
Many people who struggle with addiction tend to neglect their true needs. You may have been eating an unhealthy diet, neglecting exercise, or dealing with high levels of stress. To combat these issues, spend some time every day doing something that improves your overall well-being – take a walk or a warm bath, get a massage, or try a new healthy recipe. During your self-care time, reflect with honesty about where you currently stand and what you need to not only continue your recovery but to thrive and achieve your goals.
2) Prayer + Meditation
Prayer and meditation are essential forms of mindfulness that we can practice to help us be present and focus on both ourselves and our spiritual relationships. Take the time each day to be introspective and listen to yourself while reaching out consciously through prayer and meditation. These practices are known to help reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, increase self-confidence, and generally help us to understand ourselves better and reflect on the situations we put ourselves in and why we respond to them the way we do.
3) Accountability
One of the reasons that seeing a certified addiction counselor is so important is that it adds accountability to our recovery plan. Overcoming addiction is a challenge, and participants can often find it hard to feel connected to other people. You need accountability to live a truly healthy and free lifestyle. Make sure that you have family members, a center of influence, friends, and counselors you can trust to help hold you accountable for your thoughts and actions. This support can help you stay on track by focusing on the things that matter.
4) Giving (Random Acts of Kindness)
When you’re in recovery, it’s not just essential to take care of yourself – it’s important to give to others as well. Recovery is a gift; you can make it a priority to give back as one of the things you spend time on every day. You’re giving back might take the form of things that benefit other people dealing with addiction (such as leading group meetings, volunteering to help with meeting logistics, or providing a listening ear and moral support for another person fighting addiction) or it may be something unrelated (volunteering at a soup kitchen, spending time at a local senior living community, or helping out with a local animal shelter or rescue group), serving others helps you take your mind off yourself and feel good about giving back.
5) Gratefulness
Whether you’re just now figuring out how to choose a rehab facility or you are years into your recovery, it’s always a good time to be grateful. Acknowledging the blessings and gifts in your life and consciously giving thanks for them is a necessary action for happiness, contentment, and maintaining a healthy view of yourself and the world around you. Feeling thankful does not depend on what you have or what you own; instead, it’s about having a positive outlook and finding things to be grateful for in any situation. Keep a gratitude journal, and every day, jot down at least one thing you’re thankful for, no matter how small.
About Pathway Healthcare®
If you are struggling with addiction and in need of help, you may be researching how to choose a rehab facility. There are many types of rehab facilities, and it’s important to choose the right one for you. At Pathway Healthcare®, we treat people with addiction every day in a professional doctor’s office setting. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment; we treat each patient individually with a plan tailored to fit their unique needs. We accept Medicaid and Medicare in AL and TN locations to make effective, affordable care available to as many people as possible. If you are facing addiction and are ready for real help – the kind that can change your life for good – contact us today.