The answer is: you look into yourself to make sure you are ready and you head off on a path that YOU direct. After all, only you know the correct path for You. No one can tell you how to do it, but they can aid you along in your journey.
So now your worried if you start this journey, whether or not you'll relapse. The truth is, you might but then again you might not. You find might the strength with in yourself to stay on your chosen path. However, if you do relapse, don't let it stop you from getting back up and continuing on down your new path. Think of a relapse as a way to move forward and learn from your mistake. Think of relapsing as a teachable moment for yourself. Just find the strength to keep pushing forward.
Some steps to help you while finding your path through recovery.
- Admit to yourself that there is a problem and seek the help you need. Find someone to talk to, mentor you, join a NA/AA support group, find a peer ran support group, see a therapist or a psychiatrist. You can even talk to a Recovery Coach if you need to and can afford one. Now-a-days there are so many places online even where you can get help. If you go the self-help route though, please remember to stick to it, no matter how much better it feels giving up.
- Change your thought process. Note that this does take time, so giving up is not the answer here. Instead of always thinking negative, start adding a few positive affirmations on a daily basis. Repeat them to yourself over and over a few times a day and eventually you will notice the negative thoughts slowly going away. Now keep in mind that this doesn't mean you will never have another negative thought, cause we all know thats just not possible in hard times or times of a crisis. So when you get those negative thoughts, work them out and if you can try repeating positive things to yourself. What you want to do is get into the habit of repetitive thinking, positive not negative.
- Find new friends if you need to. You have your friends who will be supportive of you no matter what your dealing with, then you'll have your other friends. The ones that get pissed off at you because your no longer using, drinking, or wanting to be around negative people. These type of people are not your true friends no matter how much you think they are. The people that stick with you, encourage you to do well in your recovery are your true friends. They will stick by you through thick and thin. You relapse, they will help you recover. Sure the hardest thing you might have to do is tell some of your friends to back off so that you can get through this, but if they are a true friend, they will understand. If you need to, go make new friends. Easier said then done, right. However if you join a peer ran support group or join online communities that can pertain to what it is your going through, you'll be surprised at just how many friends you'll make that you can talk to who might just have similar issues to what your going through. I have 2 of the greatest friends (that I met online) in the world now thanks to others reaching out and me grabbing for it.
- Learn something new. Such as a hobby or take a class that you have been meaning to and just haven't gotten around to doing. The point is, is that you want to keep yourself and your mind busy. Try blogging; even if you think no one is reading it, the truth is, is that they are. This is a great way to get out your frustrations, talk about things that may be bothering you, and you might be surprised at what you find yourself getting out of your system. For new hobbies; maybe you like cooking and haven't made fresh pasta or you want to learn to bake from scratch. Grab a new cookbook and go to town. Learn to paint, draw, design a webpage, or to knit. There is so much to do out there that surely you have yet to try everything.
- Volunteer! Do you love animals or perhaps helping the elderly and maybe even working with kids? If so there are many volunteering opportunities out there that you would be able to join. Maybe you have a special skill, like cooking and want to volunteer at a homeless shelter, or your love for animals drives you to the humane society to help out. No matter what, there is something out there for everyone. The trick is just finding your niche and going for it. You can even volunteer at your local Library.
- Learn about your illness. The better you know your illness the better you'll be able to handle it. Don't think just because you learned something one day that the next it will be the same. Things change on a daily basis and the more you know, the better your chances of not relapsing. Remember; knowledge is power!
- Join a Recovery Learning Center, a Clubhouse, or a Peer ran Center. Through these types of places you can take classes that will aid you in maintaining your recovery as well as teaching you coping skills, living skills, and sometimes employment skills.
I can hear you now saying, but damn it Lori I tried all this crap. But did you truly give it a fair shot? By a fair shot I mean finding the strength to go or do more then once. You have to remember, what works for some might not work for others, thats why you have to find your own niche for recovery. I can't stress it enough; educate yourself. There is plenty of hope, recovery, and encouragement out there for everyone. Grab your share of it. You'll be glad you did!
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