Early recovery is a precarious time. If you are newly clean, you may be struggling with cravings, dealing with overwhelming emotions, or just not knowing what to do with yourself. Hopefully, you have surrounded yourself with a good group of supportive people that include other recovering addicts.In order to give yourself the best possible foundation after undergoing alcohol rehab in the Toronto area or drug rehab in the Toronto area for your
addiction recovery, it is important to be aware of situations that can threaten your recovery, or that aren’t conducive to it. Here are five areas to be careful with, some you may be aware of, some may surprise you:
1. People, Places And Things
This is one of the basics, but it can be hard to follow. Especially if you spent years using and the majority of friends and family use. It is very difficult for any recovering addict to stay clean in the presence of drugs. Even people who have stayed clean successfully for years will admit that being around drugs puts them in a slippery place. Addiction recovery is not a one-time decision, it is a decision that must be renewed every day. Avoid the people that you used to use with, and the places they hang out.If you worry about abandoning those people, understand that your recovery must come first. People will see you doing the right thing, and who knows, down the road they might join you.
2. Putting Too Much On Your Plate
Now that you are clean, you may be anxious to “get on with your life.” Perhaps you are looking for a job, looking for a new place to live, learning how to have fun clean and even thinking about going back to school. Those are all great things, but be careful. Getting overwhelmed can trigger anxiety with can trigger a relapse. Take things slow, you are not in a race.
3. Getting Into a Relationship
Early recovery is a time to learn how to deal with your emotions without drugs. Relationships are time-consuming, emotional and often disappointing. You risk your recovery when you rush into a relationship you are not emotionally ready for. Don’t be in a hurry, it’s not worth the risk!
4. Making Major Changes
Even people who aren’t addicts don’t like change. Making too many major changes in the first year of recovery can cause major emotional upsets, even if the changes are positive. Changing jobs, moving, losing a bunch of weight, getting into relationships. Of course, changes are inevitable, but don’t force or rush them. Give yourself time to adjust.
5. Not Being Vigilant
Continue to be aware of the dangers of relapse. Medications, sleeping pills and other drugs must be viewed with extreme caution. Even if prescribed, you should always seek support and not forget that you are an addict.
