How to Start Over After Addiction: 13 Key Things to Do

The recovery process doesn’t just require that you quit your drug of choice. Instead, most people find themselves starting over in many aspects of life. Whether it’s changing your mindset, changing your habits, or changing your social circles, addiction recovery will inevitably require change. But starting over in these aspects of life will pave the way for a new, healthy lifestyle and replace the old harmful habits and behaviors that come characterize a life of addiction.

A sober living program can help you make the necessary adjustments that will help you sustain your sobriety by providing recovery support services like random drug testing, one-on-one sober coaching, employment assistance, and more. If you’ve recently completed a drug rehab program, here are 13 key things to do while you’re enrolled in sober living.

1. Get plugged in with a supportive network of sober people.

Establishing a supportive network of people who will keep you accountable to your recovery is one of the best ways to maintain your sobriety. In rehab, whether inpatient or outpatient, you’re surrounded by other peers in recovery. But once you get out and head back home, things become more challenging. Facing the stressors, triggers, and temptations are easier when you have accountability and support to keep you on track.

2. Consider enrolling in an alumni group or IOP.

Although rehab is done, the work is far from over. (If you’re already enrolled in a sober living program then you probably already know this.) Transitional housing programs provide ongoing support for newly sober people, people who have recently relapsed, or people who just need some sobriety support. Residents of Eudaimonia sober living homes may enroll in an alumni group or IOP while they are enrolled in sober living. For many residents, this provides the maximum amount of accountability and support and helps them avoid relapse.

3. Get financially stable.

Addiction changes the way the brain works and drastically affects decision-making skills and behaviors. For this reason, many drug addicts spend all of their time and money figuring out how they get drugs or buying them. Although many high-functioning addicts do manage their money well, many others do not. As a person in recovery, a major part of starting over after addiction is finding a way to earn a living and managing your money wisely. Although sober living homes typically don’t provide money management classes or training, living in a transitional housing situation provides you with an opportunity to practice money management skills without risking the loss of a home or struggling with high mortgage or rent fees. If you’re interested in learning more about the cost of sober living, read our blog: Paying for Sober Living in Austin, TX.

4. Prioritize your physical health.

Drugs and alcohol can have many lasting physical side effects that may take months or even years to resolve. One of the best things you can do to encourage the healing process is to take care of your body and your physical health. This includes eating regular and nutritious meals, getting adequate sleep every night, exercising regularly, and reducing your stress levels.

5. Develop and maintain a regular routine for yourself.

Sober living programs can also help you develop more discipline so you can learn how to maintain a regular routine for yourself. Routine is very important in early sobriety, as too much unstructured time could increase your risk for relapse. Plus, if you make plans to do something like exercise or attend an AA meeting, you’re more likely to do it.

6. Find a new hobby.

Staying busy with productive activities and hobbies will also provide protection from relapse, as well as give you a sense of purpose in life. Being newly sober can be difficult at times, especially if you don’t have any hobbies to keep your body and mind occupied and off of drugs and alcohol. Whether you learn how to play an instrument or join an intramural sports team, there are plenty of great hobbies that also help to reduce stress and anxiety in recovery.

7. Continue making amends.

Making amends is a part of the recovery process that starts early on in rehab. In working through the 12-Step Program, you’ll learn the importance of making amends and start contacting people in your friend, work, and family circles that you believe you need to make amends with. Making amends is difficult, time-consuming, and requires dedication, so it’s unrealistic to think that you’ll be done in a matter of weeks or even months. This is something you can continue to work on while you’re enrolled in sober living and after you transition back into an independent living situation.

8. Make a bucket list of sober things you want to achieve or do.

Having a bucket list is a fun thing to do, even if you’re not in recovery. However, for people who are recovering from addiction, a bucket list serves many different purposes. First and foremost, it keeps you focused on the things ahead instead of what’s behind you in your past. A bucket list can also add value and meaning to your life, build your self-esteem, and promote personal growth.

9. Find fulfilling employment.

Finding employment after rehab is not only necessary, but it’s also a great way to build your confidence and self-esteem in recovery. Even if you don’t land your dream job right out of rehab, you can take steps to work toward that goal, which is fulfilling in itself. Sober living programs also provide employment assistance to help you prepare for interviews, update your resume or create one and find job openings in your area.

10. Practice self-care every day.

Self-care is an essential part of life in recovery, as it contributes to your overall well-being. It will also help you maintain a sense of balance in your life. Self-care practices vary greatly and can be anything from practicing meditation daily to prioritizing the things you enjoy like art or dancing. If you’re struggling to come up with ways to practice self-care on a daily basis, here are nine great ways to practice self-care while you’re enrolled in sober living.

11. Make new friends.

Being newly sober can sometimes feel isolating, especially if all your old friends are still drinking or abusing drugs. Making new, sober friends can help you establish important support systems and provide a community to which you feel like you belong. Developing a sense of community among sober friends is key to living a happy and fulfilling sober life. After all, what is life without people to share it with? There are many different ways to meet sober friends in Houston or in Austin, Texas, so it’s worth getting out there to try.

12. Be on the lookout for signs of relapse.

Relapse rates for substance abuse are similar to those of other chronic relapsing diseases. Although you may never relapse, the risk is always there. Especially in early recovery, it’s essential that you know the signs of relapse and have a plan for what to do if relapse happens.

13. Give yourself some grace.

No matter how hard you try you’ll never be perfect, and you may slip up every once in a while, especially in early recovery. However, if you surround yourself with supportive people who are eager to see you through your successes and failures, you’ll also be encouraged to cut yourself some slack as well.

Restructuring your lifestyle and habits in early recovery is a process and starting over doesn’t just happen overnight. It will take time, patience, hard work and support, but a sober living program can help you get there.

Call Eudaimonia Recovery Homes today to speak with an admissions representative about our sober living homes for adults in Houston, Austin, and Colorado Springs.