Simple ways to avoid relapse after recovery

Simple ways to avoid relapse after recovery

Addiction is a compulsive activity of abuse that induces temporary pleasure. These substances can be anything from alcohol, medications, and other stimulants. The overuse of such substances has a detrimental effect on the body and mind. Therefore, even after successful treatment, the road to complete recovery is challenging.

To avoid relapse, here are simple ways one can try to cope with withdrawal symptoms and fight temptations.

Support system
The simplest way to cope with addiction is to build a support system of trustworthy friends. One must remember that recovery is a long process and your friends and family can help you overcome temptations and fight withdrawal symptoms. Note that while treatment conditions the body to be independent of the substance, support and therapy conditions the mind to avoid chances of a relapse. Seek sponsors or former addicts who are now sober and can advise you based on their experience. Learning from their experience will certainly instill confidence in your ability to not relapse.

Attend group sessions
Group therapy sessions provide recovering addicts with a platform to share their positive efforts towards recovery. Here, recovering addicts gather to openly discuss their addictions in a positive light and share their experiences on how they managed to overcome temptations and avoid relapse. Talking about positive outcomes reinforces the confidence to accept new changes boldly and continue on the path of an addiction-free lifestyle. Many of these group sessions feature step-wise programs to gradually help the transition. The program also rewards people who successfully complete a step to encourage them to keep going even when it’s difficult.

Cope with stress
Addiction mostly starts as an escape from stress, making stress one of the top reasons for drug and alcohol abuse. Therefore, it is necessary that you find a better way to manage stress. Finding alternatives to manage stress during recovery is the key to ensuring that relapse never happens. Some quick relief strategies include regular exercise or any activity that boosts endorphins (happy hormones). This could range from spending quality time with your pet to pampering oneself. Engaging in such activities boosts your morale and blocks thoughts that can cause a relapse into addiction.

Stay distracted
Distractions are not always bad, especially if one is trying to avoid thoughts that can trigger a relapse. Make a list of distractions that one can resort to every time craving strikes. It can be difficult to avoid the craving altogether, but healthy distractions can help one refocus all energy to improve their emotional wellbeing. Reading, going to the movies, socializing with friends and family, or even immersing oneself in a pleasurable hobby can distract one from urges.

Addictions can easily take a toll on one’s personal and professional life. Therefore, it is crucial to remind oneself about the negative consequences of a relapse.

Our
Blog.

9 most common types of depression you should know about

9 most common types of depression you should know about

All of us feel low, upset, and unmotivated at some point in our life, but this isn’t classified as depression. Depression is a mood disorder that overshadows a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Signs and symptoms of this grave disorder can range from feeling hopeless and tired to completely losing the will to live. There are several types of depression and they are listed below so you can understand depression and people suffering from it better. Major Depression (Clinical Depression) The hallmark trait of this type of depression is the constant feeling of sadness or loss of interest in social life or any outside stimuli. It often lasts for two weeks or more in which a person can experience symptoms such as hopelessness, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts. Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder) Dysthymia lasts for years and can disrupt daily life and interfere with personal and professional relationships. Individuals with dysthymia are often seen as dark, pessimistic, or complainers by others, and they have a hard time being happy in typically pleasant situations. Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder) People with manic depression experience high degrees of mood swings. Their train of thought can take them from feeling euphoric to feeling suicidal in just a few weeks.
Read More
Simple and practical guide points for expecting parents

Simple and practical guide points for expecting parents

Pregnancy is a new experience in every couple’s life, and one should understand a few things to ensure that the nine months are smooth and stress-free. Simply being prepared for pregnancy and looking forward to the joy of parenthood is not all there’s to childbirth. As a couple, you must understand, review, and adjust your lifestyle. Expecting mothers become their child’s nurturers and supporters from day one, but the expecting fathers, close relatives, and friends must also understand the key roles they will play right up to the due date. Here are a few simple family and pregnancy guide points to help you and your folks get started: Staying healthy Physical and mental wellbeing is extremely crucial for the expecting mother to ensure both her and the baby’s health. Diet plays a crucial role in this process, as the mother is now providing nutrition for the developing fetus as well as herself. As a family, you can take turns to ensure that the to-be mother is staying physically active, eating healthy and regularly, and not cultivating any bad habits. More importantly, family and loved ones should be prepared for the changes to come in the upcoming trimesters. Coping with changes – what to expect Morning sickness in the first trimester is quite common and can put a woman’s body under tremendous stress.
Read More