The first few weeks after you’ve completed a substance abuse program can be emotionally and physically challenging. Many of the things you’ve been doing for so long may seem bizarre and unnatural to you. However, as challenging as it may seem, staying structured is one of the most important things you can do in recovery. Without structure, your recovery is much more likely to be temporary and unstable. Here are some helpful tips on how to stay organized while in recovery from a substance use disorder.
Create a Routine
Having a routine can help you stay on track throughout the day for many reasons. First, it helps you prioritize important tasks that lead to your long-term recovery goals. When you create a routine, you’ll notice that you don’t have time to do things that aren’t in alignment with your values. Second, a routine gives you a feeling of security, knowing that no matter what happens during the day you’ll be able to rely on certain things to happen. With a routine, you won’t have to waste time trying to figure out what to do. Instead, you’ll just be doing what you know you need to do.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly can help you deal with feelings of anxiety and strengthen your resistance to cravings. It’s also a great structured activity to relieve some stress, get some fresh air and sunshine, and stay physically healthy. Exercising regularly can even help you sleep better at night, which is important since a lack of sleep can lead to relapse. Regular exercise helps to keep you physically fit and healthy, which can contribute to a positive emotional outlook as well.
Have a Purpose for Daily Activities
When you’re trying to stay structured in recovery, it’s important to have a purpose for each of the daily activities you do. If you’re spending time with friends, for example, you need to know why you’re spending time with them. You shouldn’t just be hanging out with your friends because you feel like you should, or because you have nothing else to do. You should be spending time with your friends to strengthen your relationships with them, as well as to help them stay sober, if they are in recovery themselves. In other words, you should have a clear structured purpose for each of the activities you do, both inside and outside of your home.
Set SMART Goals
When you set goals, try to make them SMART goals. What does that mean? Well, your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Specifically, your goals should be related to your long-term recovery goals, as well as short-term goals that are aligned with your values. You can make your goals more attainable by breaking them down into smaller parts and creating a timeline for when you want to achieve them. For example, your long-term goal might be to complete a substance abuse program. Your short-term goal may be to make it through the first two weeks of the program without using.
The Buddy System
The best way to stay mindful of your commitments is to use the buddy system. This way, someone else can help keep you on track when you’re feeling tempted to use substances again. If you have someone already established in their sobriety to rely on, it’s even better. If not, find someone in a meeting who’s in the same situation as you and ask them to be your buddy. Once you’ve become more mindful of your commitments, you can use the power of positive thinking to stay on track. Avoid negative self-talk and thoughts and take action towards your goals.
Eudaimonia Can Help Keep You on the Path to Recovery
Eudaimonia offers excellent recovery programs with tailored care. In these programs, individuals can develop positive coping skills with the tools necessary to maintain sobriety. Eudaimonia even provides tailored care based on gender and orientation. We also include supervised, short-term housing to provide support for newly sober individuals. But no matter where you are in your recovery, Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes can provide support every step of the way. We have facilities for sober living in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs ready to assist you in living your sober lifestyle. Call Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes at (888) 424 – 4029 for more information on the sober living process and current room availability.
