Recovery is not always easy. Living a healthy and sober lifestyle after addiction can have both ups and downs. Some days may feel like more work than others. You will also experience the unexpected throughout your recovery. Being able to work through unexpected situations is very important in maintaining your sobriety and your mental health.
We all react to situations differently. Taking the time to continue the work you began in treatment is important. As you have probably already realized, the work does not end just because you are no longer using your substance of choice. Continuing to work on your mental health is key to maintaining your sobriety and healthy lifestyle. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the unexpected as you continue through recovery and sober living.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
When something unexpected occurs, it may have an impact on your mental health and, essentially, your sobriety. A very important first step is to stop and acknowledge your feelings. How did this unexpected event make you feel in the moment? Who was involved, and did they affect how you felt? Did you feel as if your sobriety was at risk? When we can answer these questions, we can assess the situation. When something unexpected occurs that affects us negatively, we then know how to protect ourselves to ensure we are not placed in that situation again.
Ask for Help
Sometimes unexpected situations can place our sobriety at risk. Maybe you did not want to surround yourself with certain people, but they happened to show up where you were. Or you have been avoiding a certain area, residence, or activity because you just aren’t ready to be in those situations yet. Having a plan in place and people to support you in those critical moments is important. We all need support, but in those moments, we need people who we can call, lean on, and rely on to get us safely out of danger.
Many people leave treatment with this notion that they no longer need support because they are no longer using their substance of choice. Many feel afraid to seek further help because they feel as if they should be able to handle every situation and know how to work through their mental health issues. If you find yourself feeling this way, try to talk through what you are feeling. Realize that receiving support is something that many people who have faced an addiction do long term. Knowing when to ask for help can enable you to make the best choice for your situation and your goals.
Keep Your Routine
Routines can be helpful as you continue with your long-term recovery plans. Routines can help us to make good choices and avoid harmful situations. When something unexpected occurs, it can throw off our routine and affect our day. If something changes your routine, know that you may need to think through the situation to ensure it is something safe and productive for your recovery. Being vigilant does not mean that you do not trust yourself or that you cannot handle situations. On the contrary, being vigilant means that you are placing your sobriety first and taking care of your mental health. As you journey through recovery, your triggers may change. Unexpected situations will arise, and they could easily impact your sobriety. Having a solid routine can help with this.
Often when we hear about routines, we think about the order in which we get ready in the morning or when we do certain activities throughout the day. For someone working through recovery and learning to maintain a healthy and sober lifestyle, routines can easily include many different things. Maybe you call your life coach or recovery coach every day at 3 p.m. Even if something unexpected occurs that throws you off your routine, you can easily jump back in and receive the help that you need at that moment.
Know Your Triggers
Knowing your triggers is key to understanding how to best work through situations. There will always be unexpected situations that occur. Knowing how to respond when things happen is how you will handle those situations without jeopardizing your sobriety. When you decide to continue with professional help as you work through recovery, you receive the help you need to understand why and how your triggers change with time.
Navigating through the unexpected is something that everyone needs to do in life. There will always be unexpected events or situations that arise, and learning to work through those situations without jeopardizing your sobriety is important. Some individuals may benefit from maintaining a solid routine, while others may benefit the most from the support of others and the ability to ask for help when needed. We are all different, and learning to work through the unexpected may look slightly different for everyone. As your triggers change as you grow and heal, you may change how you respond to situations. That is perfectly normal. Often, many individuals need continued support from a professional to keep working through sobriety and mental health issues. Here at The Guest House, we are a group of professionals with extensive experience helping individuals work through their recovery regardless of where they are in that process. Call us today to learn more about our different treatment options and how we can support you at (855) 483-7800.