Not everyone knows what to expect in the first year of sobriety.
Maneuvering your way through addiction recovery can be tough. Your life after rehab may be completely different and it’s normal to make some changes to ensure that you continue to progress. As you find your footing, you may have to learn new ways to cope with addiction cravings and lifestyle changes in a short span of time. The circle of people you may have spent time with before may change after you’ve received drug or alcohol addiction treatment. It’s common to experience some hiccups along the way. The good news is that the mistakes you make in recovery don’t have to define the rest of the journey. Our list of mistakes to avoid in addiction recovery can help you get on your feet and stay on the right track.
10 Most Common Mistakes You Should Avoid Making in Addiction Recovery
Although everyone’s recovery is different, there are generally some common errors that addicts tend to make in the earlier stages of recovery.
- Neglecting self-care
- Expecting too much of yourself
- Comparing yourself to other recovering addicts
- Not asking for help when you need it
- Missing AA/NA meetings
- Immediately jumping into dating
- Believing you’re cured
- Drinking alcohol
- Testing your will power
- Hanging out with the same group of friends you used to drink or use drugs with
How to Avoid Common Mistakes in Early Recovery
As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Pompano, we know that no one is perfect. Although avoiding mistakes in recovery isn’t always possible, there are some methods you can implement in your daily routine that can protect your sobriety from any serious blows.
Ask for Help When You Need It
You may feel too embarrassed or even prideful to ask for help, but it’s okay to reach out to a supportive friend or family member when you need it. Asking someone else for help will prevent you from turning to other coping mechanisms that may not be as healthy or safe.
Do Not Compare Your Recovery Journey to Someone Else’s
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. You may feel as if you’re the only one in recovery who’s struggling to stay afloat, but this isn’t true. Nearly everyone in addiction recovery faces their own challenges. No one is immune to its difficulties, so don’t attempt to discredit your achievements by comparing yourself to others. Instead, focus on the things that have been working for you and celebrate the goals you complete.
Keep a Daily Journal
If you’re in recovery, then you’ve probably been advised to keep a daily journal more times than you can count. But this is for a good reason. Writing down your thoughts and emotions on a day-to-day basis helps you realize any strengths or weaknesses you should focus on.
Attend Regular AA/NA Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are often incorporated into addiction treatment programs. These meetings are meant to offer peer support for individuals in addiction recovery. If you’re scheduled to attend these meetings, try not to miss them. One of the most common mistakes recovering addicts make is missing out on their group meetings. If you allow yourself to miss one, then it’ll become easier to miss the next one, and so forth. Lack of community support from others who are in the same boat may leave you vulnerable to other addiction-related temptations.
Banyan Pompano offers an alumni program for patients who have completed one of our addiction programs. Like AA and NA meetings, our alumni program provides continuous support to help patients achieve long-term sobriety.
Stay in Regular Contact with Your Sponsor
Sponsors are there to offer sound advice and be the voice of reason when you hit a wall in your recovery journey. Staying in contact with your sponsor keeps you accountable and can offer reassurance on days when you feel like throwing in the towel.
Take Up New Sober Hobbies to Pass the Time
Taking up new sober hobbies is a great way to pass the time and make new friends. Pottery classes, cooking classes, playing sports, playing an instrument, or even learning a new language can keep you busy. You can also meet some new friends along the way. And who knows, you may even discover a hidden talent.
Disconnect from friends who influenced your addiction in the past
Hanging around the same group of friends you used to drink or do drugs with can increase your chances of relapse. We are often influenced by the people we surround ourselves with; it’s important to have a sober group of friends who support your recovery.
Be Patient with Yourself
This one may be the most common mistake recovering addicts make. There’s a difference between being disciplined and being too hard on yourself. Don’t expect yourself to never make mistakes. Recovering from addiction is a process. When you feel like you’ve taken a few steps back, look at the situation from a new perspective and work on finding a solution instead.
Long-term sobriety takes hard work and commitment, but it’ll always be worth it. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call us today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about our facility and how we can help you take the first step on the road to recovery.
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