The first 90 days of addiction recovery are some of the hardest and most rewarding days of your new life. Here are some tips to ensure your recovery and your newfound happiness!
Create and keep a schedule
Creating a schedule in drug and alcohol rehab is essential so you can have a clear list of what to do and when, to help you keep on track. You will probably need to schedule most or even all of the hours of the day to ensure you do what is absolutely essential for you in early recovery. This includes the times you wake up, eat, exercise, work, attend 12-step meetings, have doctor or therapy appointments, take medications, and spend time with family and friends. You should set aside blocks of time for meditation, prayer, reading and hobbies as well. When you have a schedule, you are more likely to stick to it and not miss anything you need.
Make meetings a priority
You probably started going to meetings in treatment if you went to drug and alcohol rehab. Meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings may have become a necessity for your addiction recovery. It is strongly encouraged you attend at least one meeting a day for the first 90 days. Meetings can be very important for you while preserving your sanity especially during troubling times, or when you feel a crisis coming on.
If you are participating in a 12-step program, finding a sponsor should be a priority, especially if you haven’t done so already. This important person will help you navigate the program and will serve as your go to person in times of crisis.
Continue seeing your doctor or therapist
Many people in early recovery find that it’s essential to maintain a regular connection with their physician, especially if they are on any kind of medications. Early in recovery is not the time to think about quitting therapy or getting off of your medication; keep your appointments and discuss any changes with your therapist or doctor.
Create a safe environment for yourself
The healing process requires that you feel secure at home and are in a stress free environment. You need to ensure there are no drugs, paraphernalia or alcohol in your space; get rid of all of it! If you think you can’t do this, ask sober support or family to help.
Ask for help from your loved ones
If you have a spouse, partner or family that supports and encourages you, asking for their help in early recovery can make a huge difference. Together, you can create a routine that not only works for your addiction recovery, but also helps their recovery. When staying sober is your primary focus, your loved one’s can end up feeling neglected. Making them a part of your recovery can help with that.
Make a list of goals
Every recovery journey happens in the present moment but any successful person, in anything they do, creates goals for themselves. To do that, you need to craft a list of goals or things you would like to achieve in the next one, five, and even 10 years. Initially, the goals may be small or seem silly, they aren’t. As you achieve these goals you will build self confidence and can move onto the next set of goals. Create a list of short term and long term goals for yourself. You can list goals as they come to you.
Pay attention to your diet, sleep, and physical activity
Getting back to feeling great requires a great diet, sleep, and some physical activity. This applies to everyone, not just those in early recovery. A good diet and exercise will give you the fuel you need to heal properly and be your best. A good diet helps the body recover and exercise produces endorphin’s which can help you sleep, function more clearly, and stay in a positive mood.
Don’t rush back to work
Take your time with things. Let things come as they may. Rushing back into anything in early recovery can cause unneeded stress. Let yourself take the time needed to focus on establishing a strong foundation in recovery.
Avoid major life changes
This can be anything. Moving, changing jobs, ending or beginning relationships etc. Major changes can cause unneeded stress in early recovery and can cause your focus to move from recovery to the major changes. Try to stay right where you are and let the changes develop naturally until you are ready to make bigger decisions and changes.
Celebrate your successes
Celebrate every day you are sober. Celebrate every milestone reached and celebrate every goal achieved. This is an amazing life you are leading. You should be proud of everything you are accomplishing. Celebrate that!
Stay grateful
Stay grateful for your sobriety, for the fact that you are alive, for the amazing new journey you are starting. Write a gratitude list every morning and every night. It is impossible to be grateful and depressed at the same time. At least for a few seconds. Gratitude will carry you through just about everything. So stay grateful.
We hope you enjoyed these tips! Want to find recovery? Call us today. (855) 448-3588. GateHouse Treatment is available to you 24/7.
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