Avoid Becoming Stagnant: Staying Active in Your Recovery
Recovery is defined as a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength. To most, that means that once you’re well again, the process of recovering is completed. When recovering from Substance Use Disorder, you must understand that there is no definitive end to your recovery. It is a road that presses on, a journey down a path that only betters your life with the passing of distance and time if you choose to continue walking on it.
Going forward with the path metaphor, you must understand that from time-to-time there will be potholes, speedbumps, and forks. There will be times when you feel fatigued, stuck, or downright stagnant. So how can you stay as active as possible in your recovery?
Stick to Your Routine
If you think you don’t need to go to a meeting, go to two. Much like with a fitness routine, you may not always want to go to the gym, but rarely ever will you regret having gone. Meetings are your way to re-center yourself and your mindset. Set days during the week that you commit to going to a meeting and go. If you’re feeling fatigued, switch it up! Talk to some of your friends in recovery and try new meetings. The world of zoom has opened up endless possibilities, around the clock and around the world meetings are available virtually.
Visit our link here (https://www.fellowshiphall.com/alumni-online-resources) for more online resources.
Read or Listen to Recovery Material
Motivation will fluctuate over time, and it is natural that you may need some inspiration every once in a while. You also must continue your education in regard to recovery, as it will help you stay mindful and aware of how to best live your life in a way that helps you maintain sobriety. Find what you like! Many of those in recovery read the daily reflection each morning, or utilize a recovery bible. Incorporate this into your daily routine. If you have a long commute or some downtime, try recovery podcasts such as https://sobercast.com/ or listen to AA and NA speaker tapes for free on Youtube.
Tend to Your Spiritual Life
Remember that self-reliance is what leads you back to active use, reliance on a higher power as you understand it is what propels you forward in your journey on the path of long-term recovery. Meditate in the morning to calm and center yourself before the rush of the day begins, pray and turn your trials over to your higher power as you understand it. Reflect on what you can do to feed your spiritual life more each day, and then incorporate that into your routine.
Talk with Others
Make connections and pick up the phone to call others before you need to. Don’t wait until you feel your worst to share experiences, feelings, or thoughts. Call your sponsor or friends in recovery to begin cultivating your circle of positive connections in your recovery. Being connected and forming relationships with others in recovery can also help you feel accountable, it’s also important to have sources of insight from others who understand the types of things you might be going through.
***
For more information, resources, and encouragement, “like” the Fellowship Hall Facebook page and follow us on Instagram at @FellowshipHallNC.
About Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.