Beating alcohol use disorder is hard enough on its own – but one of the biggest challenges comes after someone has gotten sober. As is the case with any form of addiction, it can be very easy to fall back into old habits even with all the work they’ve done to release themselves from the problem.
It’s post-treatment that many people feel lost and have difficulty returning back to normal life, so it’s crucial to focus on continued support mechanisms. In this short article, you’ll learn about three steps for continued sobriety over the long term, and the lengthy, fulfilling life that follows.
The Importance of Building a Strong Support Network
One of the most important factors for continued sobriety is continued support. Most people who get through rehabilitation for alcohol use disorder – and indeed, all forms of addiction – are those who have a strong support network of friends, family, and healthcare professionals who are there to catch them if they fall during their journey.
Having people to turn to for reassurance and to talk to through their darkest moments (those times when they want to start using alcohol again as release) can make the difference between someone returning to their old habits or staying on track. A conversation with a loved one, for example, can be all it takes to reaffirm the person’s values – the reasons they’ve chosen to get better in the first place. Indeed, it’s often the case that those people are a large part of the reason the individual has decided to get help.
Learning the Right Coping Strategies
Someone who has gone through rehabilitation and therapy has learned a lot of skills in that time, and some of the most important ones pertain to the coping strategies they’ll use when they’re back in the real world.
These strategies can comprise many different disciplines. Regular exercises and a healthy, structured diet can go a long way in providing a strong foundation for a properly functioning mind, for example; mental health practices like mindfulness and meditation techniques can offer solace in times of struggle. There are many different methods that work, and in most cases, the person should seek to utilize and be able to choose between two or three strategies when the going gets rough.
The Benefits of Sober Living Centers
In many cases, people simply aren’t ready to return to their normal lives directly after their rehabilitation program, and in these situations, sober living centers can provide huge benefits.
These facilities are similar but more relaxed than the in-patient therapy centers that the individual may have utilized as part of their main treatment plan. Functioning as a place to stay for ongoing mental-health support, group sessions, and socializing, they’re there to help someone transition back into normal life at their own pace.
Sober living centers can offer the person the boost they need, both mentally and physically, and in many cases, they can make the difference between someone experiencing continued sobriety for years to come or relapsing.
Wrapping Up
Regardless of which options are chosen, there’s something to suit the individual needs of anyone – no matter what they’ve been through. The most important thing is to prioritize post-recovery, and slowly build up to a prosperous, sober life at a comfortable pace.
