Ways to support a life in recovery (National Recovery Month)
There a multiple ways to support sustaining a positive and fulfilling life in recovery from a substance use disorder. For myself, and this is what I teach others, the key is having a balanced life. I never put more weight in any one area of my life than is necessary at any given time. Certainly, it is not always perfectly balance, but, balance is the key overall. I will cover the areas I have found to be important to pay attention to for a person in recovery.
Mental Health
For most in recovery we have to address any issues in the arena of mental health. I learned in early recovery, for the first time ever, that I suffered from depression and anxiety. Along with treatment for addiction, I needed treatment for depression and anxiety. As I started living a life in recovery from a substance use disorder I also needed to address my depression and anxiety. I sought help through professional counseling and through medications. I have, throughout the years, with guidance from professionals in the field of mental health, learned skills to manage my depression and anxiety. I believe this is an area that is vital for those in recovery to pay close attention too. It is also just as important to ensure the advice and counsel given is from professionals. Certainly, family and friends can be helpful, but, it is critical in this area, if help is needed, to get that help from professionals.
Physical Health
In the years leading up to my first inpatient treatment I had never really paid close attention to my physical health. I would only see doctor or dentist for emergency care. That was it. In recovery I have learned that paying attention to my physical health is vital not just in an emergency, but just as important, in preventive care. Early recovery this can be scary for many, it was for me. But, over time, and after developing new habits in this area, it has paid off immensely in keeping me on a positive path in my recovery and overall life. I now pay attention to my body and go to the doctor or dentist when needed. I get check ups before things go wrong and follow doctors recommendations. I also have educated myself in the areas important to my physical health. This area, like mental health, is critical for those in recovery to pay close attention too. Listening to those who are in the field is important. Finding a doctor or dentist and ensuring that they have your best interest in mind. Also critical in this area, is telling your medical providers that you are in recovery. All of my medical providers know this about me. I have had the opportunity to educate doctors about what it means to be a person in recovery. It can be a great catalyst to building strong relationships in this area.
Exercise and Nutrition
It was at Olalla, when I was in treatment, that I learned about the importance of exercise and nutrition. I had previous experience with exercise from my time in the military, but, with nutrition, I hadn't had much knowledge. Exercise is something that can be near to a miracle worker for people in recovery. When I hike the ridge or go for a run it does so much for my recovery in the areas of improving my mental state of mind. When I am paying attention to how much caffeine I put in my body, or, even how much sugar I am ingesting, it can be hugely beneficial to my moods. I don't advocate that anyone needs to be 100% healthy and always exercise, but, just paying attention in this area can have a dramatic effect for those of us in recovery. I truly believe that just putting some effort into the area of exercise and nutrition can have long lasting and positive effects for a persons recovery.
Support and support groups
You usually don't have to go far to find someone who knows about AA/NA. These two are the longest and most widely known types of support groups for people in recovery. The twelve step model of support is widely used around the world. For many these groups are highly beneficial and help those who are able to follow the path of having a higher power in their lives. There are other types of support groups out there for those who want a different model to follow. SMART Recovery is one type of support group that doesn't have the twelve step model and is very effective at supporting a life in recovery. Another group is Secular Organization for Sobriety. This organization is beneficial for those who want a life in recovery but don't adhere to the spiritual inclusion for a support group model. For many in recovery they use their personal religious path as a source of support for their recovery. Others use mentors in their circle of friends who they trust and seek guidance from. Whatever the method it is helpful for person in recovery to have a strong support network to be able to talk to and gain insight on how to enjoy a life in recovery.
Mental Health
For most in recovery we have to address any issues in the arena of mental health. I learned in early recovery, for the first time ever, that I suffered from depression and anxiety. Along with treatment for addiction, I needed treatment for depression and anxiety. As I started living a life in recovery from a substance use disorder I also needed to address my depression and anxiety. I sought help through professional counseling and through medications. I have, throughout the years, with guidance from professionals in the field of mental health, learned skills to manage my depression and anxiety. I believe this is an area that is vital for those in recovery to pay close attention too. It is also just as important to ensure the advice and counsel given is from professionals. Certainly, family and friends can be helpful, but, it is critical in this area, if help is needed, to get that help from professionals.
Physical Health
In the years leading up to my first inpatient treatment I had never really paid close attention to my physical health. I would only see doctor or dentist for emergency care. That was it. In recovery I have learned that paying attention to my physical health is vital not just in an emergency, but just as important, in preventive care. Early recovery this can be scary for many, it was for me. But, over time, and after developing new habits in this area, it has paid off immensely in keeping me on a positive path in my recovery and overall life. I now pay attention to my body and go to the doctor or dentist when needed. I get check ups before things go wrong and follow doctors recommendations. I also have educated myself in the areas important to my physical health. This area, like mental health, is critical for those in recovery to pay close attention too. Listening to those who are in the field is important. Finding a doctor or dentist and ensuring that they have your best interest in mind. Also critical in this area, is telling your medical providers that you are in recovery. All of my medical providers know this about me. I have had the opportunity to educate doctors about what it means to be a person in recovery. It can be a great catalyst to building strong relationships in this area.
Exercise and Nutrition
It was at Olalla, when I was in treatment, that I learned about the importance of exercise and nutrition. I had previous experience with exercise from my time in the military, but, with nutrition, I hadn't had much knowledge. Exercise is something that can be near to a miracle worker for people in recovery. When I hike the ridge or go for a run it does so much for my recovery in the areas of improving my mental state of mind. When I am paying attention to how much caffeine I put in my body, or, even how much sugar I am ingesting, it can be hugely beneficial to my moods. I don't advocate that anyone needs to be 100% healthy and always exercise, but, just paying attention in this area can have a dramatic effect for those of us in recovery. I truly believe that just putting some effort into the area of exercise and nutrition can have long lasting and positive effects for a persons recovery.
Support and support groups
You usually don't have to go far to find someone who knows about AA/NA. These two are the longest and most widely known types of support groups for people in recovery. The twelve step model of support is widely used around the world. For many these groups are highly beneficial and help those who are able to follow the path of having a higher power in their lives. There are other types of support groups out there for those who want a different model to follow. SMART Recovery is one type of support group that doesn't have the twelve step model and is very effective at supporting a life in recovery. Another group is Secular Organization for Sobriety. This organization is beneficial for those who want a life in recovery but don't adhere to the spiritual inclusion for a support group model. For many in recovery they use their personal religious path as a source of support for their recovery. Others use mentors in their circle of friends who they trust and seek guidance from. Whatever the method it is helpful for person in recovery to have a strong support network to be able to talk to and gain insight on how to enjoy a life in recovery.
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