5 Ways To Establish A New “Normal” After Rehab

Life After Rehab

After facing your addictions head on and undergoing a treatment program, you are likely to experience a sense of relief, pride, and excitement for the future ahead. You may feel that the hard part is over, but it is important to understand that treatment is just the beginning of a lifelong journey — a quest that, if given the proper care, will be infinitely rewarding.

This statistic showcases the importance of developing a routine that is congruent with your journey to stay healthy and sober. Relapsing is incredibly dangerous and can not only derail your will to stay drug and alcohol free but can also lead to blackouts, bodily injuries, overdoses, or even death.

Here are 5 ways to successfully take control of your future and establish a new “normal” way of life after rehab:

1. Don’t Wait Until After Rehab To Start Planning For Your Future

Use the resources allotted during your treatment program, such as therapists, doctors, or focus groups, to develop concrete ways you intend to change your life after rehab. Making a point to plan for the future while still in rehab is imperative to maintaining a clear mindset and will help you avoid any potential relapses. This may involve identifying common triggers or warning signs and coming up with a plan to prevent these, making plans to move out of a home or location that is a negative influence, or cutting ties with damaging or dangerous individuals from your past.

2. Develop A Relationship With Spirituality, Meditation, Or A Higher Power

Going through a treatment program will require self-reflection, and it is important to continue this form of introspection in order to stay focused and sober; developing a sense of spirituality may help. Try meditating once a day, listening to soothing music, or spending time outdoors — whatever it takes to clear your mind and form a connection with your surroundings.

3. Find A Hobby That Excites You

Finding ways to cope without drugs or alcohol can prove difficult at times, which is why picking up a new hobby to fill the void that was once filled with dangerous behavior is incredibly important to a successful recovery. Start building a new social life by taking an art class, taking up a sport, writing in a daily journal, joining a club, or volunteering in your community. These are all great ways to meet new people while developing healthy habits and routines.

4. Make Plans To Return To A 100% Sober Environment

This step requires evaluating the house or neighborhood you were previously residing in and critically assessing if it is still a good, safe fit for a sober you. Additionally, you should perform the same evaluation of your friends or family members who may be facing addictions themselves or were enablers of your previous addiction(s).

5. Join A Support Group And Regularly Attend Sessions

Support groups such as 12 Step Programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART are incredible resources when considering how to successfully establish a new way of life and maintain your sobriety. Making meetings a priority will allow you to surround yourself with individuals who have overcome similar situations and who can be great influences on your continued journey to regain control of your life.

Establishing a new “normal” way of life can seem daunting at first, but it is important to stay positive and take it one step at a time. This is the best way to ensure a full transformation and start building a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.