HomeKeeperU.com has been virtually inactive over past many months. Here to breath life into these old bones, with a continuing attentiveness to addiction, loved ones of addicts, and recovery, is, once again, Bethany Hatton – (Guest Blogger). Though many expound on the topic of addiction, Bethany has put together a grass roots, common sense approach. It is very thorough, and user friendly, with very solid links to “Get Help Right Now.” Anyone struggling with substance abuse, will never have to leave this blog‘s links to get all the help they’ll need. Sit down with, friend, co-worker, family, or even by yourself. Get started, go through, and end your addiction nightmare, TODAY! I’m excited to present what Bethany has accomplished with her blog. HomeKeeperU.com is both proud of and thankful for her skill set. Without further adieu –
Life After Relapse HKU
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Getting Back on the Road To Sobriety After a Relapse
After an addiction relapse, it is common to experience feelings of confusion, frustration and anger. If you want to move forward and reduce the likelihood of another relapse, consider re-evaluating your sobriety strategy. Please, utilize the recommendations below.
Seeking Professional Help
After a relapse, it is imperative to connect with an addiction professional. If you are in need of immediate support, addiction helplines can be immensely valuable. You might also want to connect with any professionals who are familiar with you and your recovery process. It may be a counselor, therapist, or group support worker. If you are not in contact with an addiction professional, consider contacting an addiction treatment facility or therapist in your area. Addiction treatment and prevention specialists can help you identify what led to the relapse. They will work with you to make necessary alterations to your sobriety strategy. They can also refer you to individual, group, and peer therapy for ongoing support. If you are hesitant about seeking professional help, remember that asking for help is an indication of bravery, not weakness and can actually reaffirm your commitment to healing and sobriety.
Talking to Family & Friends
After a relapse, it is common for people to feel embarrassment and shame. This is due to their perceived inability to succeed in sobriety. Embarrassment and shame can make it difficult to talk to loved ones about a relapse. That being said, not sharing what happened can make you feel even more isolated and lonely. Developing a strong support network starts with honest sharing, of your circumstance, and asking for help. It’s likely, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of support and will be even more motivated to keep on the path to recovery.
Self-Forgiveness
After a relapse, you may feel like you let down both yourself, and your loved ones. As a result, you may experience deep feelings of guilt and failure – both of which are antithetical to recovery. Forgiving yourself is a key component of moving forward. Remind yourself that a relapse is a mistake. It is not representative of who you are, your value, or your will power. It may also be helpful to remember that many people relapse on their path toward long-term sobriety.
Returning to Work
Going back to work is one of the hardest aspects of moving forward after a relapse. This is especially true if your workplace played a role in triggering your relapse. Stress, conflict, and heavy workloads can all contribute to enhanced stress. With all this stress, it’s no wonder that your job correlates to drug and alcohol abuse. On top of that, who you work with may play a role in encouraging certain negative behaviors. Before returning to work, be sure you have mechanisms in place to help prevent and handle job-related stress. Being able to handle stress can keep you on the path to recovery. It also may reduce the likelihood of another relapse. First, write down what aspects of work caused stress. Next, develop both a preventative step as well as a coping mechanism for each aspect. An example would be, if excessive workloads cause stress, consider what you could do to: (A) reduce your workload and (B) reduce stress when a heavy workload is unavoidable. Refer to your new list frequently and make revisions as needed.
Outside of work, try to develop hobbies that reduce stress such as jogging, yoga, meditation, and gardening. Hobbies can benefit your immune response, dexterity, and mental health. Having a purpose external to your work can help reduce the amount of time you spend worrying about job-related issues. Finding meaningful hobbies can also help contribute to a healthy work/life balance. A balance that’s essential for both physical and mental well-being.
A relapse doesn’t have to define you or hinder your recovery process. In fact, a relapse can reaffirm your sobriety commitment. By following the tips above, you will be on your way to self-forgiveness and long-term sobriety. Until next time… Wait!!!… We can’t let Halloween go unrecognized!
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Until next time, keep your homes well.
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