How to Resist Temptation and Make Healthy Choices When You’re Recovering

Recovering from addiction is a journey full of transformation. However, you’re bound to run into temptation along the path occasionally. Resisting temptation is necessary to prevent relapse. These tips and tricks can go a long way to help you stay sober.

Avoidance

Avoiding triggers is essential, especially during the early days of recovery. This may mean taking a new way home from work so you don’t pass the bar and adopting new habits to ensure that you’re not reminded of drugs. Letting go of old friends who encourage substance abuse is common to avoid temptation. An addiction recovery service can help you identify possible triggers.

Prescriptions

Many people are addicted to prescription medication. In 2015, 20.5 Americans at least age 12, had a substance abuse problem, according to a study. Only 591,000 had a disorder that involved heroin, while 2 million had one that involved prescription pain relievers. If you were addicted to prescriptions, you must speak with your doctor about your substance abuse to ensure they don’t prescribe you pain medicine you can get addicted to again.

Routines

First, establish things that help you relax and be mindful, such as exercise or meditation. Then, make a daily routine. Invest in an hourly planner and try to fill your day with positive activities encouraging sobriety. This eliminates boredom and the wondering thoughts that come with it. When your mind starts to wander, it can be easy to be tempted to abuse substances again.

Strategies

It’s important to realize you will be tempted to relapse. Something will remind you of using drugs or drinking, and your brain will instantly want to do that same thing again. Work with a professional addiction recovery service to develop a plan you will follow when tempted. Having a plan can help prevent relapse because you will be less likely to give in to your impulsive feelings.

Working with an addiction recovery service can help you develop the critical skills you need today to minimize the risk of relapse tomorrow. We can help you identify triggers, determine what changes you need to make, and develop the coping skills necessary. Contact us for more information on our services today. We can’t wait to guide you on the path to recovery.