The time for spring cleaning has arrived.

The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and you’ve been avoiding that junk drawer in your kitchen. Whether you’ve been in addiction recovery for a week or a year, you may understand the importance of change. Spring cleaning isn't just a time of the year where people clean house, it’s also an opportunity for those in addiction recovery to clean out their homes of things that may remind them of their addiction and their lives during that period of time. As a Philadelphia addiction treatment center, we understand that getting a fresh start in recovery is important to sustain sobriety. That’s why we’re offering some helpful ways to spring clean your recovery.

6 Ways To Spring Clean Your Recovery

In a way, spring cleaning in addiction recovery allows people to create their own new beginning. Spring cleaning promotes positive change, which is often a part of sustaining sobriety. It’s not just about getting rid of an old pair of shoes, it’s about setting yourself up for success in the future. Even the smallest changes can make a huge difference. Below are some spring cleaning tips for addicts in recovery that you can use this year.

#1: Clean out your beer and wine glasses.

Even if you aren’t recovering from alcoholism, but especially if you are, you should throw out or donate any wine glasses, beer glasses, or paraphernalia that remind you of drinking or promotes drinking. Regardless of how long you’ve been in recovery, any little thing can cause a flood of memories. Fighting temptation in recovery can be difficult when you stumble upon an old cup you used to drink out of all the time. If there is a particular cup or item that you’re emotionally attached to because it was a gift or even reminds you of how far you’ve come in your sobriety, then store it away where you can’t see it every day.

#2: Begin a DIY project and stick to it.

DIY projects are fun and unique ways to entertain yourself in recovery. Spring cleaning isn’t just about cleaning your home, it’s also about learning new ways to sustain the positive changes you do make. Your new DIY project can be anything fun and positive. If you’ve ever been on Pinterest or YouTube, then you know that there are tons of videos and tutorials that offer step-by-step explanations on how to create new things. Find something that inspires you and go for it.

#3 Get rid of clothes that remind you of your past habits.

Clothes hold memories, that’s why people tend to hold on to old t-shirts that have so many holes that they’re only worn as pajamas. While this may sound far-fetched or even silly, I’m sure there are certain outfits or particular items of clothing that remind you of a time when you used drugs or alcohol. This is perfectly normal, but also dangerous. Throwing out things you used to wear during your addiction can not only help you start fresh mentally but also gives you a push to develop a style that expresses you. When we like how we look, we tend to feel more confident. Switch out clothes that remind you of the past and pick out new things that express the positive changes you’ve made.

#4 Repurpose any past hiding places.

Many individuals who struggle with addiction have areas in their homes where they hide their drug paraphernalia or alcohol in their homes. If you did this during active addiction, then you should try to empty those hiding places and find a better use for them. For example, if there’s a shelf that only you can reach, put a vase or a decoration on it so it’s occupied. If there’s a little drawer where you used to keep your stash, glue it shut or use it to organize other things.

You can also replace the things related to your addiction with reminders of how far you’ve come or your sobriety goals, even a letter you write to your future self. That way, if you’re on the verge of relapse and you reach for one of those hiding places out of habit, you’ll have something that may curb the addiction craving. An additional tip is to tell your loved ones about these hiding places to keep you accountable.

#5 Delete apps on your phone that you don’t use.

Having an abundance of apps can be stressful for anyone. Too much screen time can also be unhealthy. It’s tempting to use your phone as a distraction in addiction recovery, but social media apps can contain pictures and videos that may promote substance abuse. It can be difficult to scroll past these temptations when you’re on your phone frequently.

If you don’t want to delete your social media completely, then you can delete the app itself and download it every few days or weeks to catch up on things momentarily. Not only is this a great way to declutter your phone but it also promotes positive habits and gives you more memory to download different apps for addiction recovery.

#6 Pick one spot in your home and make it yours.

Spring cleaning in recovery isn’t just about throwing out things, it’s also about incorporating new methods and positive changes. A great way to keep up with journaling or to ensure you have the personal space to recharge after a long day is by picking one spot in the house and making it yours. You can even move furniture and other things you already own and create a room or corner that’s only for you. This is the spot where you can read, pray, journal, or work on your DIY project. While isolation isn’t recommended in addiction recovery, there should be a healthy balance of independence and interaction in your routine.

Recovery first requires you to receive drug or alcohol addiction treatment, but when it comes to spring cleaning in recovery from addiction, there are plenty of great ways to incorporate some beneficial changes in your life.

At Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia, we offer a variety of substance abuse programs that cover a multitude of addictions. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, we can help. Call our Banyan Philadelphia team now at 888-280-4763 for more information about our rehabilitation center and levels of care.