Category: Life in Recovery

We are in the thick of the holiday season, and while this should be a joyful and celebratory time, it can be challenging for those of us trying to maintain our sobriety.  But, dealing with an addiction doesn’t have to ruin your holiday fun.  We’ve come up with seven tips to help keep you on the right track all the way through New Year’s Day.

Play the Tape All the Way Through.

More than likely, alcohol will be present in some form if you attend any holiday parties.  So, in the event you’re hit with an unexpected craving, pause for a second and play the scenario out in your head.  Remember all the destruction your addiction caused in the past and focus on all you’ve got going for you now.  Sometimes taking a moment to think – rather than react – is all we need to get through a tempting situation.

Keep Your Hands Full.

If you’re out at a holiday gathering or New Year’s Eve party, make sure to always have a non-alcoholic drink in hand.  This not only prevents others from handing you a cocktail, but it gives you something to sip on just in case temptation strikes.  It also spares you from having to answer the “why aren’t you drinking?” question from others, which can get old real fast.

Give Back.

Serving others always has a way of shifting the focus off yourself.  It helps zap those feelings of negativity, like resentment, sadness and shame, while also giving you a different kind of “high.”  So, if you’re feeling a little low, volunteer at the local food bank or help gift wrap for a local charitable organization.  Giving back is guaranteed to help you get into the spirit of the season and remind you of all you have to be thankful for.

Stay Connected.

Holidays have a way of bringing out the loneliness sometimes, especially if we’re away from family or not in a relationship.   So, it’s natural for us to resort to old habits and isolate when we’re feeling down.  However, a lot can be gained from spending time with others, so surround yourself with loved ones – those who you can be open and honest with, as well as those who support you no matter what.

Avoid Slippery Places.

This goes without saying, but if a holiday event is being held at one of the bars you used to frequent, do not attend.  As the Big Book says, we don’t have to live in fear of alcohol (or drugs), but we do have to respect its power over us.  Part of respecting that power is avoiding places or situations that are likely to lead us back to drinking or drugging.

Make “Me” Time a Priority.

Just because it’s a busy time of year doesn’t mean you need to completely neglect your needs.  To preserve your sanity and overall happiness, you must take time for yourself.  Whether it’s carving out time to exercise during the week or scheduling a mani/pedi, it’s important that you take care of your physical and mental well-being.  To do this, make sure to schedule and calendar personal time the same way you would school and work responsibilities.

Stick to Routine.

No matter how stressful the holiday season becomes, remember to get plenty of rest, practice healthy eating habits, go to meetings and exercise regularly.  In other words, stick to your recovery routine as much as possible.

Happy Holidays!

This month is Recovery Month.  Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month aims to increase awareness of mental health and substance abuse issues nationwide every September, as well as celebrate the millions of Americans who are in recovery.

2019 Recovery Theme

The 2019 Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” emphasizes the need to share resources and build networks across the country to support recovery.  From community members to first responders, emerging leaders to the healthcare community, this observance reminds us that mental illness and substance abuse affects us all, and that we are all part of the solution.

Recovery Month began in 1989 as Treatment Works! Month, which honored the work of substance use treatment professionals in the field.  It then evolved into National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in 1998, when it expanded to include celebrating the accomplishment of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.  The observance evolved once again in 2011 to National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) to also include mental illness.

Now in its 30^th year, Recovery Month highlights inspiring stories of those in recovery to show people facing mental and substance use disorders that hope, help and support are available, and that one can find the healing and personal growth needed to recover.  The Recovery Month observance also helps raise awareness of those who struggle with these two disorders, as well as reduces the stigma and misconceptions that cloud public understanding of them, which can discourage others from seeking help.

Looking Forward to Recovery

Over the years, Recovery Month has inspired millions of people to share their stories of recovery and encouraged others, who are still in need of services and support, to reach out for help.  It has also increased awareness of mental illness and substance use disorders, which is important since their effects are being felt all around the country and in our communities.  In 2017, an estimated 35.4 million adults (14.3 percent) in U.S. households had mental illness in the past year and 18.7 million had a substance use disorder, according to a recent SAMHSA study.  Approximately 8.5 million had both a mental and substance use disorder (co-occurring disorders), proving that these are very significant public health issues that are worthy of help and support from the community.

For more information on this year’s Recovery Month, please visit https://recoverymonth.gov/.

We all want to be happy, but happiness doesn’t always come easy – especially when we’ve relied on drugs and alcohol for that perceived “happiness” in the past.  Leaving behind a life we’re familiar with can be scary and challenging at first, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be satisfied and fulfilled with a new, sober lifestyle.  Just ask Justin Kan, a 35-year-old entrepreneur who recently gave up alcohol completely and has never been happier.  Here, we share some of his tips, as well as some of ours.

Meditate

Upon becoming sober, we’re faced with dozens of thoughts and emotions that we don’t know how to handle, especially since we’ve resorted to numbing them with drugs and alcohol in the past.  Meditation is an excellent practice to clear the mind and focus.  After a few minutes of practice each day, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you want to achieve, without feeling like your mind is muddled.  Plus, you’ll feel like you have more control over your thoughts and actions, which is great for someone new to recovery.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Research shows that gratitude is consistently associated with greater happiness.  This is because it helps people feel more positive emotions, build strong relationships and relish good experiences.  To practice gratitude, Kan uses an app called The Five Minute Journal, which asks you every morning to name three things you are grateful for, as well as three things you are going to do that day to make it great.   Focusing on all the positive things in your life, rather than the negative, helps you keep everything in perspective when you’re hit with a setback or obstacle.

Sweat it Out

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which create a natural high.  Doing so regularly gives you more energy and enhanced feelings of well-being – all which make life much more enjoyable and manageable.  As you reach certain exercise milestones, you’ll feel more accomplished, which will empower you to believe that long-term sobriety, too, is attainable.

Forgive

This one’s a big one, and one that can be very difficult for some people to do.  But the truth is, holding onto grudges only hurts yourself.  Letting go of pain and resentment towards yourself and others lifts a weight off your shoulders and makes way for happiness to settle into your heart.

Talk it Through

Bottling your emotions can have negative effects on your emotional and physical health, but unfortunately, some people don’t have a close, impartial person they can confide in.  A therapist is a great way to talk things through, release buried emotions, bounce ideas off of and learn some tips geared at self-improvement.

Put Down the Phone

Technology has found its way into every aspect of our lives, and although this can be a good thing, it can also be overwhelming to keep up with.  The endless stream of notifications, texts and emails we receive daily keeps the mind on high alert, so much so that you can never truly relax.  Stepping away from your phone, then, can really give you a chance to be present in whatever situation you’re in and be actively engaged in everything around you.

We know – change is hard.  But personal change happens one day at a time, so if you’re looking to get happier, make that first step.  It’s all about progress, not perfection.