Progress toward any achievement sometimes takes time, and that's okay. It's easy for people to want to see the change instantly, but that isn't always the case. Individuals in treatment must learn to recognize each moment of progress, even slow progress, throughout the treatment and recovery journey. From the smallest and slowest change to more noticeable improvement, every step toward recovery is an accomplishment.
People sometimes forget that achieving recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Achieving and maintaining recovery requires implementing several life changes, and there is no standard timeline to do so. Some people leave treatment after 30 days, while others need a more extended and intensive program. In either scenario, learning to celebrate every little accomplishment is vital to tracking your progress and acknowledging the person you become during treatment. When it comes to addiction recovery, slow progress is better than no progress.
Before you can live a life of recovery, you must understand what it means to be in recovery. Treatment is only the first step in a long process. Though addiction is treatable, it is also a chronic condition, and even long-term treatment is not a cure. In any case, you must acknowledge that recovery is a life-long journey that requires constant work and attention. This notion is not meant to discourage you; it is simply the reality of living with addiction.
Recovery requires life changes. It's not just about abstaining from substance use or seeking therapy for behavioral addictions. Recovery involves making changes that are conducive to your overall mental and physical well-being. Yes, these changes include refraining from substance use, but it also requires attending therapy and support meetings, eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising.
Many people neglect the lifestyle changes necessary to make their life rhythm more conducive to recovery. You must do more than the bare minimum to maintain sobriety. Recovery means pushing yourself in a healthy direction after treatment to maintain recovery long-term. There are several ways you can begin pushing yourself in a healthier direction today. Some of these ways include:
Unfortunately, one major part of recovery is accepting that a relapse may occur. But, again, this should not discourage you but rather encourage you to be prepared. Don't forget: relapse does not indicate failure, and you can successfully return from a relapse.
Some people may not want to accept the risks of relapse associated with recovery. However, avoiding these risks or acting like they aren't there will make you more susceptible to them. Instead, you have to acknowledge the risk of relapse, prepare for them as much as possible, and create a plan that will help you effectively deal with the aftermath and move forward in a more positive direction.
Planning for relapse requires you to identify potential triggers, create healthy routines, and maintain contact with friends, family, and the members of your sober support network. While not everyone in recovery experience relapse, it is a genuine possibility. The best way to combat it is to prepare for it.
It may feel like relapse stalls your progress. However, it can be a learning opportunity that gets you closer to your goals. If you are prepared to deal with and learn from your relapse, your progress may be slow, but it is still progress.
Understanding recovery and accepting the risks of relapse are vital for managing your expectations. You are more than capable of achieving and maintaining sobriety. However, life is complex, and things beyond your control are likely to occur. Learning ways to monitor your progress will help you move past setbacks and celebrate each achievement, no matter how small.
You can monitor your recovery progress by:
While monitoring your progress, areas of achievement and areas for improvement may become evident to you. However, what exactly does it look like to progress in addiction recovery?
Unfortunately, there is no concrete measurement of addiction recovery progress. That is because addiction recovery looks different for everyone. Addiction — whether it's a substance use disorder (SUD) or behavioral addiction like gambling — impacts everyone differently. Therefore, measurable progress is unique to each person.
Never compare your recovery journey or progress with the progress of other people. Only compare yourself to where you started and where you are now. Regardless of how long it takes, life in recovery will bring about a completely different person than who you were in active addiction.
If you are in recovery, acknowledge every small win that brings you closer to your goals. You can focus on more progress slowly but surely tomorrow.
Even though millions of people across the United States struggle with substance use disorder (SUD), every journey with it is unique. For that reason, you should never compare the pace of your progress with others. Instead, focus on comparing who you are today to who you were in active addiction. Recovery is a lifelong process accompanied by many life changes designed to improve your overall well-being. Implementing such life changes is not always easy, and progress can be hard to see. Rest assured, though, that achieving and maintaining recovery is chock-full of progress, no matter how slow that progress may seem. To seek treatment for active addiction, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
