5 Ways to Live a Habit Free Life After Addiction
Getting help for your addictions is a big step. Do not be afraid of what will come after the recovery part. Completing addiction treatment and returning to daily life may appear to be the most difficult thing you've ever done, but 10% of Americans are in some stage of recovery, so you are not alone. As difficult as the early days of rehabilitation may be, there are some actions you can take to ensure that your transition is as seamless as possible. Attending outpatient therapies, aftercare, and becoming involved in support groups are all part of the process, but they are only a small part of it. Here are some other ways that you can live a habit-free life after addiction.
1. Set personal goals
Setting personal goals means that you are ready to commit to living a sober life and will do anything to change bad habits. Set goals that will motivate you to achieve your goals and prove that now you have changed your habits. When you wake up set new goals for each day and promise yourself that you will complete them. It is a healthy way to keep your mind busy and stay away from addictions. Personal goals make you realize that you are strong and can overcome any obstacle in life.
2. Adopt healthy habits and hobbies
Hobbies are activities that people adopt when they want to spend time doing something constructive. Hobbies are a great way to put your mind into things that will take your mind away from drinking. Finding a healthy way to spend one's spare time that does not trigger the want to use any addictive substance again is one of the most pressing problems for someone in addiction treatment. In addition to finding time for exercise and a decent night's sleep, you should spend some time renewing or rediscovering old passions. Here are 5 healthy hobbies to adopt:
- Book reading
- Cooking
- Running
- Painting
- Writing
3. Focus on eating healthy
Being in addiction counseling and getting treatment for addiction need a strong mind and body. Eating healthy after the addiction treatment is essential for both the mental and physical health of the person. Make sure to add all the food groups to your daily diet and choose home cooked meals over junk food.
4. Exercise
Exercising is not only for people who are willing to lose weight but rather for anyone wishing to live a healthy life. People who have been through addiction treatment and now stepping into their new sober life, should always try and make sure to include proper exercise in their routine. Exercise can make people sweat and not think about how much they wish to drink. Try to go outdoors for exercise. This way you are giving yourself a chance to be in the presence of nature, which will further enhance your mood and make you feel good about yourself. Here are 5 exercises to try outdoors:
- Hiking
- Bike Riding
- Beach Volleyball
- Trail Running
- Yoga
5. Stay away from toxic people
Accept responsibility for your recovery. Be open and accepting about harmful friendships or partnerships. Request their understanding of lifestyle changes, such as the need for more space. Do not sit and socialize with the same people who made you adopt bad habits in the first place. The fact that it has come to an end does not imply that the other person is "evil." This is not about assigning blame; it is about maintaining one's own well-being. It is all about you choosing a different path than the rest of your peers and sticking to it. Here are 5 ways to politely refuse to sit with people who drink:
- Tell them you don’t want to start drinking as you just finished addiction recovery
- Make sure to tell them that you have chosen this for yourself and want to stay sober.
- Tell them you can’t sit here as you might fall into temptations
- Be truthful about your struggles and make people understand how difficult the process of alcohol withdrawal is.
- Don’t be afraid to be alone and just simply choose to stay all night out.
In a nutshell…
Choosing to get treated for alcohol addiction and completing it means that you want to commit to a life away from toxins in your body. So do not let anyone, even yourself and your friends, become a hindrance in your path to recovery. Stay strong and work hard to become the best version of yourself.