Maintaining motivation is essential for individuals in aftercare or ongoing recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Motivation for change is a key component in addressing substance misuse.” On the flip side, a loss of motivation is a common risk factor for relapse. Motivation can wane when alumni experience challenges that cause emotional distress, thereby affecting their ability to cope with symptoms of substance use disorder (SUD). Fortunately, The Guest House offers ongoing recovery support to help alumni stay motivated and continue moving forward in their healing journeys.
Why Is It Important to Stay Motivated During Recovery From Substance Abuse?
Recovery takes place over a period of time. This extended time frame during which continuous effort must be made can feel challenging. Alumni who feel unmotivated risk becoming disillusioned or disconnected from the recovery process. In addition, some people may begin to revert to old patterns of behavior, including substance abuse, if they no longer feel incentivized to make positive lifestyle choices. Hence, motivation to develop healthier routines and behaviors reduces the risk of relapse.
Maintaining motivation during aftercare and ongoing recovery does the following:
- Improves treatment outcomes
- Reduces the severity of some symptoms
- Decreases the risk of developing additional mental health issues
- Increases positivity and self-compassion
- Promotes self-care
Individuals who are purposeful about their recoveries often build greater resilience and self-efficacy. Alumni support services at The Guest House encourage people to continue creating a healthy space for healing and growth after completing rehabilitation.
Overcoming Barriers and Setbacks
Some people will experience significant challenges during aftercare. Difficulties in creating a support network or other unexpected setbacks may create a barrier to a healthy recovery. People may have trouble locating essential recovery resources. A variety of other factors may impact people’s ability to remain motivated and actively engaged in ongoing recovery as well. Healthy forms of motivation help people overcome challenges by providing them with positive goals to work toward.
Stay Motivated Using These Three Tools
Everyone has unique motivations and things that inspire them to heal and grow. Recovery from SUD involves identifying and addressing barriers to long-term healing, including lack of motivation. Below are three effective and practical ways alumni can remain motivated after rehabilitation.
#1. Community Referrals to Critical Community-Based Support Services
Community programs and services offer additional support during and after treatment, which fills the gaps in their healthcare needs. The Guest House provides community referrals to ensure that alumni and their loved ones can access critical community services and resources when they need them most.
Some of the community-based referrals the clinical team provides include the following:
- Individual therapy and counseling
- Medication management
- Sober companions
- Case management
- Self-help groups for individuals in recovery and their loved ones
The clinical team collaborates closely with alumni and their loved ones to determine when referrals may be appropriate. Alumni can receive referrals to services or programs that give them the skills and tools to build healthier lives.
#2. Setting Meaningful and Realistic Recovery Goals
Many people make the mistake of setting goals that are too vague or unrealistic. According to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, “For some, identifying an appropriate goal is difficult, while for others, putting goals into action is the roadblock.” People in recovery benefit from setting meaningful, specific, and realistic goals.
Setting realistic and meaningful goals allows people to remain engaged and see noticeable improvements in their mental and physical health. Many individuals benefit from breaking larger goals down into smaller goals. For example, instead of “staying sober,” a person may set the goal of “staying sober for three months.” Once that goal is achieved, they can celebrate the milestone and set a new goal of “staying sober for six months.” By breaking things down into smaller goals and attaching a specific time period to each goal, people are more likely to look forward and remain motivated instead of feeling overwhelmed when they encounter challenges in recovery.
#3. Finding Ways to Give Back to the Community
Many people find acts of service fulfilling, meaningful, and motivating. Volunteering to help others or engaging with peers during community events may provide a sense of belonging and offer a series of achievable goals. Individuals in recovery can choose from many volunteer opportunities in the sober community. The Guest House provides information about local organizations, programs, or services that need volunteers to help them achieve their mission.
Some common forms of community service include:
- Volunteering at recovery centers, including The Guest House
- Mentoring or sponsoring others in recovery
- Arts and creativity workshops
- Speaking in person or online about recovery
- Volunteering or participating in health and wellness programs
Finding ways to positively contribute to the community improves mental health and increases motivation.
How Does The Guest House Helps Alumni Stay Motivated?
The Guest House offers community events, peer activities, workshops, group meetings, and other alumni support services to facilitate a positive transition from structured care to ongoing recovery. Alumni and their loved ones use ongoing services to achieve recovery goals, gain additional support, and find healthy ways to maintain motivation.
People often feel more motivated while participating in rehabilitation programs. A care team finds ways to ensure clients remain engaged and actively involved in their treatment. After transitioning out of structured care, some people find it much more challenging to maintain motivation and achieve recovery goals. A sudden increase in free time or new responsibilities may cause people to become distracted and stop prioritizing their mental and physical recovery. The Guest House offers regular check-ins, referrals, and ongoing support to individuals in early recovery to help them develop the necessary skills for staying motivated in continuing care. The care team also provides community-based resources to support alumni and their families. To learn more about our alumni services, call (855) 483-7800.