5 Things You Should Do After Substance Abuse Treatment

Posted on: 6 May 2021

Substance abuse treatment programs are effective at helping people overcome their addictions. After you are released from the program, you have learned to count on yourself to maintain sobriety. If you make a few changes and follow the things you learned in treatment, you can be successful.

Here are several things you should do after you get out of substance abuse treatment.

Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

Your lifestyle habits can have a major impact on your mental health. If you lead a healthy lifestyle, you may be less likely to get stressed and turn to alcohol or drugs. Focus on eating a nutritious diet and exercising most days of the week. It is also important to get eight hours of sleep every night.

Surround Yourself With the Right People

After substance abuse treatment, you have to choose the people you hang around with wisely. It is best to distance yourself away from people who regularly use drugs or alcohol because the temptation may be too high. Instead, you should surround yourself around sober family members and friends who truly care about your sobriety. They will support you through your journey and lend a shoulder to lean on.

Attend Therapy

Seeing a mental health therapist regularly is critical for your sobriety. A skilled therapist can teach you healthy coping mechanisms to deal with life stressors and low your risk of having a relapse in the future.

Volunteer

If you recently got out of substance abuse treatment, consider volunteering your time to help others. For example, you could help out at your local animal shelter or soup kitchen. Improving the lives of others can help you feel good about yourself and keep you from engaging in habits that are bad for you.

Stay Busy

If your hobbies before treatment consisted of hanging out at the bar with friends, you may not know what to do with yourself now. However, you should find fulfilling hobbies so that you can maintain your sobriety. If you just sit around with nothing to do, you may be tempted to use again. Take a class, learn a new language, orsign up for a team sport or start gardening.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can maintain your sobriety. If you ever feel like you're about to relapse, call your sponsor right away. You worked hard on your sobriety and deserve to live a fulfilling and happy life. 

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