The Pros and Cons of Cancelled Events in Recovery

Going back to your everyday life after rehab can be exciting.

You may look forward to spending time with family and friends. You may even be excited to go out to different events now that you’ve changed your life. However, sometimes plans fall through and you may miss out on a few things. As a drug and alcohol treatment center, we know that certain events can either benefit your sobriety or hinder it. To help you differentiate between the two, we’ve broken down the pros and cons of cancelled events in recovery.

Pros of Cancelled Events in Recovery

A cancelled event can be disappointing, but sometimes it’s for the best. Although you may be excited to do new things after rehab, there are some pros to cancelled events in addiction recovery.

Avoid Any Alcohol

There are many places where alcohol is widely accessible. Even if you suffered from a different substance abuse disorder, drinking alcohol can still be dangerous, and you may find yourself replacing one vice with another. If you were planning to attend a party or any other event that allows easy access to alcohol, not attending that event might have saved you from a bigger problem.

Alcoholism can develop before the person even realizes they have a problem. Even if you’ve received addiction treatment for a different type of substance abuse disorder, you aren’t immune to alcoholism. Individuals who develop a dependency on alcohol can take the first step in their recovery journey with an alcohol detox. This program is specifically designed to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and help patients move forward in their recovery.

Avoid Old Friends

Certain individuals may have influenced or even supplied your substance abuse in the past. If they show up at the same event, they could potentially trigger addiction cravings. Cancelling events in addiction recovery may save you from coming across these individuals.

Avoid Old Hangout Spots

Even if an event is in an area you used to spend time at throughout your addiction, you may still go because you don’t want to miss out on your plans. But spending time around your old hangout spots may trigger addiction cravings and cause you to turn back to your past behavior. Just like friends, these places can bring back memories of your past substance abuse problems.

Cons of Cancelled Events in Recovery

A cancelled event can be disappointing. Especially if you’re in addiction recovery, you may look forward to certain experiences that are beneficial to your sobriety. Unfortunately, there are some cons to cancelled events.

Fear of Missing Out

When you have to cancel your attendance to an event or the event itself is cancelled, you may experience the fear of missing out, which is commonly known as FOMO. Many people experience FOMO when they’re unable to be a part of something. Sometimes cancelled events are unavoidable, but you could use this time to focus on any responsibilities you may have been neglecting or to try something new.

Loneliness

Loneliness in recovery can be terrifying. Many individuals who have relapsed may have felt lonely or as if they didn’t have anyone to turn to. Cancelled events in recovery may mean you’re at home bored and lonely. Boredom and loneliness can cause your thoughts to turn to past behaviors, and any negative emotions may cause you to relapse. However, you can always reach out to a friend or family member if you’re feeling this way. You could also take up a new hobby, watch a movie, read a book, or do anything else that’s fun and positive.

If you need support, our alumni program allows our past patients to connect with others who have also undergone addiction treatment at our facility. Speaking with others who are in a similar situation can help recovering addicts learn new ways to sustain their sobriety.

Disrupted Schedule

There may be certain events designed to help individuals in recovery. Although these events are rarely cancelled, there are certain emergencies and incidences that can’t be avoided. A disruption in your schedule can throw you off and jeopardize your recovery. Many individuals are advised to create a routine that keeps them busy and helps them focus on their recovery journey. Any disruption to this schedule, like a cancelled event, can hinder their progress. 

When an event is cancelled and you’re at home doing nothing, it can be tempting to sit and mull over your past behavior. However, a cancelled event may allow you to do something new. Knowing the pros and cons of cancelled events in addiction recovery can help you manage any future cancellations.

At Banyan Treatment Centers, we’re dedicated to helping people recover from substance abuse and lead healthy and happy lives. If you or a loved one wants to turn their life around, call us now at 888-280-4763 to learn more about our different levels of care.