5 Tips To Help You Avoid the Post-Rehab Relapse

More than 80 percent of people who have found long-time sobriety from drug or alcohol addiction, are likely to have at least one relapse any time in their life. So if you are struggling to keep sober, you are not alone.

Only willpower may not be good enough to prevent an addiction relapse. You need to be aware of the warning signs if you want that relapse to stop sneaking upon you.

You will have to change your routine, stop hanging around in the same places with the same people and make changes in your circumstances if you want to get over your old habits and behaviors. Here are a few things you can try to develop a drug-free lifestyle:

Make new friends

It is never a good idea to hang around with the same people you had done drugs with once you are achieved sobriety. Instead develop friendship with people who are sober. A good way to make this possible is to join a support group or take part in a fellowship. You can also come up with some activities to spend more quality time with your family members.

Focus on the bigger goal

Staying sober is definitely a goal; but it is not the long-term one. You will have to focus more on a long-term goal if you don’t want to get back into the lifestyle that you have left. Focus on building your career or getting back to school if you want to stay sober for long. Ask someone to create a daily or weekly schedule for you and make it a point to stick to it. Not only will this help you avoid a relapse, it will also put you in a better position to achieve your other goals in life.

End unhealthy relationships

Until you did that search on drug rehab Arizona, your closest friends were those who brought to you, the drug of your choice. But now that you are sober, it is high time that you ended these past relationships. Not only can these be unhealthy for you, they can also be downright toxic. These relationships need not necessarily be with your drug dealers and your drinking buddies. Even your employers, family members or caregivers might be enabling you to take those drugs without they knowing it. Identify the unhealthy relationships that may be making it difficult for you to stay sober and end them all, as quickly as possible.

Stay healthy and active

Any addiction to drugs or alcohol can affect your health negatively. There are high chances that you may not be in your best physical shape. So your first step in staying sober is to improve your physical health. Include some exercises and recreational activities in your daily routine. Try to be physically active most of the times. Eat healthy and stay fit. Not only will this help in avoiding relapse and improving your overall health, it will also keep you happy.

Get a Job or Change your Existing Job

Meeting job responsibilities can be a huge hassle for addicts and alcoholics who are on the road to recovery. You may be finding it difficult to manage your money and maintain your employment. You will have to get things in order if you want to stay sober for long. Use all the support you can get and find yourself a new job. Improve your financial situation by staking one step at a time.

Try some meditation or deep breathing to stay calm and composed. Forgive yourself for things you have done in the past, find some balance in your life, and start living life responsibly.

Michael Kelly is a Freelancer Writer, Entrepreneur and passionate blogger. A writer by day and a reader by night.