For one who has suffered from drug or alcohol abuse, the first step to recovery is seeking professional treatment, as addiction recovery centers have the resources and expertise to guide you to the best possible treatment plans. After initial treatment though, the heat is on you to remain focused and diligent until you’re fully recovered. Often the most difficult part of the recovery phase, it pays to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make your transition to freedom as easy and efficient as possible. Remember, recovery isn’t a one-man process. It takes a village to help you make that transformation.

Join a support group.

Just as initial treatment was a group process, so too is the following recovery phase. Surrounding yourself with a team of mentors, sober friends and allies, and recovery coaches to help keep you on the straight and narrow is vitally important, particularly in attempting to avoid old triggers and patterns. This group will help guide you through some of the toughest times you’ll face.

Set open, realistic goals.

In weaning yourself off of substances, it’s easy to want to set big, lofty goals to attempt to speed up the recovery process. Unfortunately, however, research indicates that not obtaining these goals can be quite detrimental to the psyche, and can actually slow down recovery. Starting small, and accomplishing small goals before working your way up to bigger ones keeps things manageable, and allows you to track your progress!

Communicate.

Just like in the treatment center, communicating openly about how you’re feeling at any given time is a very important means of keeping others in the loop so they can assist in your recovery journey. When first starting out, you may be emotional, and issues may seem a lot bigger than they are. Making others aware of how you’re feeling will both help you feel better, and keep you level-headed and in control.

Avoid temptations.

This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to never overlook the negative influence of particular people, environments, or situations. Triggers can come from anywhere, and even seemingly innocuous events like family reunions could send you right back to where you started. If you struggled with alcohol in the past, it is wise to avoid bars altogether, and to ask those who care about you to refrain from drinking alcohol around you. With drugs, steer clear of the areas in which you used to buy and use.

Recovery is glorious, but many still need to take the first step: seeking treatment. Oceanfront Recovery of California won’t just help you start your journey. We’ll stay with you every step of the way. CALL US TODAY: (877)279-1777