Early recovery can be one of the most challenging parts of your life. You may experience extreme highs and devastating lows. Sometimes you feel like you can take on the world and other times it is a struggle to get out of bed.
There are many pitfalls you can easily fall into in early recovery and it is important to identify some of the things that can lead to those pitfalls and what you can do to prevent them. Some may be more obvious than others, but all of them are good things to keep in mind, especially in your early days of recovery.
This may seem like an obvious one, but some triggers are harder to avoid than you may think. While you may try to avoid these situations, they still can arise for reasons outside of your control. Luckily there are things you can do if triggers present themselves.
This can be one of the most difficult parts of early recovery. Old friends who still use substances can be incredibly dangerous to your sobriety. The possibility of losing friends is never easy, especially if those friends were there for you in one of the darkest times of your life. With that being said, if they are not able to respect your desires or are not interested in seeing you trying to improve yourself, they are not quality friends.
You need a strong support system. There is vast evidence that supports the idea that having a solid support system makes for a long-lasting recovery. If old friends tempt or pressure you to use substances, they cannot be a part of your support system.
Old locations can be anywhere that you associated with drinking or using in the days of active addiction. This could be an old neighborhood you used to hang around or a bar you used to frequent. Even if it is inconvenient, you should do your best to avoid those places, as they can bring on cravings.
What happens if you end up seeing one of your old friends or end up at a triggering location? What should you do? The first thing is not to panic. Calm yourself down by stepping away from the situation and leveling your head.
The next thing to do is to communicate with those around you. This is critical. The people around you need to know what is going on in your head so they can help you get a grip on the situation. They can help you remove yourself or walk you through exercises that re-focus your mind and keep your sobriety intact.
Setting boundaries will also help you avoid triggering situations. Again, this is rooted in healthy communication with those around you. As an example, if you are going to hang out with a friend, set a boundary by asking them not to drink around you. It can seem nerve-racking, but if the friend respects your recovery journey, it should be a non-issue.
This can be the easiest pitfall to get into in early recovery. It is so easy to get stuck in your head. Thinking things like, “Can I really stay sober forever?” and similarly negative thoughts can weigh you down. Avoiding this is easier said than done, so start by not thinking too far into the future. Recovery may be a lifelong journey but all journeys are taken one step at a time.
To overcome these negative thoughts, the best advice is to get moving. You could do something as simple as taking a walk. Doing so allows your brain to focus on something else. When walking, you have to be aware of your surroundings—your brain has to focus on that instead of the negative thoughts.
If giving your mind something else to think about does not work, try getting those thoughts out. Try journaling or calling a friend or sponsor. They might have other ideas to help you take your mind off your doubts.
Recovery is a difficult process, but thankfully, time makes things easier. Over time you will find that things that used to trigger you do not anymore, or at least the anxiety behind the trigger is more manageable. There are many changes to be made in early recovery. They can be difficult, but if you remind yourself that the changes are to better yourself and to make life more enjoyable, you will find that the pitfalls of early recovery are easier to handle.
If you have found that you are still experiencing feelings of crisis, resources are available that can help. For a short-term solution, the SAMHSA crisis hotline is open 24/7. For longer-term help, there are treatment centers like NorthStar Transitions that are willing and able to help you through your journey.
Early recovery is challenging. There are many obstacles to overcome. It can feel overwhelming at times, even impossible. With that being said there is a way to make it through this. There are people who want to see you succeed in recovery, people like the staff at NorthStar Transitions. We are there for you because we know what it is like to be where you are now and we don't want to leave anyone in that pain. We at NorthStar Transitions, located in Boulder, CO, understand how you feel and want to help you. For those having issues with substance abuse and mental health issues, we can be part of the solution. If you or someone you know needs treatment, you want to do all that you can to help. You can take the first steps by calling us today at (303) 558-6400.
