Deciding to seek treatment is often one of the most challenging decisions someone struggling with addiction will face — but it’s often not the last. Completing a comprehensive addiction treatment program is an essential first step toward sobriety and long-term recovery. During treatment, you’ll explore the issues at the root of your addiction and learn safe, healthy ways to recognize and change the negative thought and behavior patterns that fuel addictive behavior. The skills you build during treatment carry you through the early days of recovery and well beyond.
For many people beginning their sobriety journey, it’s common to wonder what comes next. What are the next steps? How do you keep practicing the good habits you learned in treatment once you’re back in everyday life?
How to Start and Keep Good Habits in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a disease, and for most people, it’s one marked by bumps, setbacks, and instances of relapse along the road to recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that as many as 60% of people who complete an addiction treatment program will experience at least one relapse.
Addiction has no cure, but with a comprehensive treatment program and a strong aftercare plan, sobriety and long-term recovery remain well within reach. You’ll learn many of the habits that support lasting recovery during treatment itself or through an aftercare program.
Complete an Aftercare Plan
An aftercare plan is a vital piece of relapse prevention. For the best results, you should transition directly into aftercare immediately after completing treatment. Aftercare programs, sometimes called relapse prevention programs, create a supportive environment where people with substance use disorders can speak openly about their struggles, temptations, feelings, and strengths throughout recovery.
Staying connected to the recovery community and the support systems built through aftercare planning is one of the most effective ways to remain sober and prevent relapse.
Go to Support Groups (AA, NA, etc.)
Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) give people with substance use disorder a space to discuss their sobriety struggles with peers who share similar concerns and experiences across every stage of recovery. Support groups also help people build new, healthy social circles.
Focus on Your Overall Wellness With Nutrition and Exercise
Many addiction treatment programs offer support and guidance around nutrition, diet, and physical activity. Many inpatient and outpatient programs also give patients access to on-site gyms or other opportunities for physical activity. One of the biggest drivers of relapse is turning to substances during times of stress or other triggering experiences, which is exactly why exercise and self-care are such effective ways to ward off stress and triggers.
While treatment will likely teach you how focusing on overall wellness — including mindfulness and self-care practices — supports your recovery, it’s crucial to keep that focus going once you leave treatment and continue building sobriety.
Many of the good habits you build during addiction treatment stay valuable well beyond the early stages of recovery, shaping your future without drugs and alcohol. Given how common relapse is after completing treatment, it’s crucial that your aftercare plan includes healthy, sustainable ways to reduce the impact of triggers and other relapse risk factors. If you’re ready to begin your sobriety journey today, reach out to our admissions team.
