Once treatment ends, recovery begins which can require a lot of physical, emotional and spiritual fortitude. Remaining sober requires a focus and determination which means avoiding people, places and things that led to drinking or use of drugs. Find out what it looks like to receive proper aftercare and what to expect in recovery.
Secret to Recovery
The following qualities are helpful for individuals who seek a successful recovery:
- Positive attitude
- Desire for more fulfilling life
- Ability to be constantly vigilant about emotional state in recovery
- Have realistic expectations for recovery
- Find sober individuals who are healthy to be surrounded with
- Attend self-help group
- Consider ways to help others
- Get help from others
An aftercare plan can outline the above, and more which can be helpful, especially if the individual is trying to find emotional balance amidst mental health concerns.
Risk of Relapse
Some individuals may be more prone to relapse than others. Those individuals more likely to experience relapse tend to have poor insight into the ‘spiritual condition’ or commitment to recovery as a lifestyle. Typically, the risk factors of relapse include:
- Lack of necessary self-awareness
- More externally focused
- Tell others what should be done to manage recovery (but lack insight into own stability)
Connection to others in recovery who are experiencing similar things is very helpful for long term sobriety. Those who have less time clean and sober focus on healthy ways to be in recovery including lending a helping hand to other individuals in recovery who are struggling. This helps a person be vigilant about sobriety.
Relapse Behaviors
Every individual who experiences a relapse goes through a sequence of events that begins with ‘relapse behaviors,’ and progresses to the point where it begins to make more sense to drink or do drugs than to not do those things. The behaviors may include:
- Cutting corners in recovery
- Dishonesty
- Subtle defiance
- Grandiosity
Being able to recognize the signs of when a ‘recovery attitude’ is slipping into relapse behaviors can be difficult to spot but learning to do this may be the key to a better recovery.
Aftercare for Recovery
Recovery is about following advice, suggestions and recommendations from people (typically professionals) who are addiction savvy and have long-term sobriety. Success in recovery requires follow through on an aftercare plan. If the plan does not suit personal needs in recovery, build another one with the help of a different professional who understands the current needs. It is important not to discontinue the plan until another one is in place. Individuals with a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health diagnosis must focus on treating both concurrently.
Individuals in recovery must stay focused at all times on the aftercare plan. A professional can help keep accountability to the plan or devise new strategies to remain clean and sober. If you or a loved one need help with following through on an aftercare plan, call Hired Power. Let us help get you on the path to recovery.
