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addiction recovery errors

Common Addiction Recovery Errors and How to Avoid Them

VWB Blog 1 year ago 0

Research shows that over 21 million Americans struggle with addiction.

The good news is that most get and stay sober. They overcome their addiction with support from others, like family or friends. They found the right treatment program and recovered.

Every addict will go through difficulties during the recovery process. Even the strongest will struggle now and again. It’s impossible to avoid all mistakes.

Addiction recovery involves overcoming obstacles and mistakes. Here’s how to avoid the addiction recovery errors people make during recovery.

Anticipating Too Much Too Soon

Most people in addiction recovery don’t anticipate too much too soon. However, a few common errors can occur that can potentially set you back in your recovery. One mistake is failing to take small steps.

Setting small, achievable goals that you can gradually work towards is essential. When starting, it’s necessary to take things slow and not try to accomplish too much at once. Additionally, not setting realistic goals can also lead to disappointment and frustration.

If you’re aware of these common errors, you can avoid them and stay on track in your recovery.

Doing It Alone

Addiction is a disease that requires professional help and support to recover. Trying to recover on your own can lead to relapses and further difficulties. If you are struggling with addiction, seek help from a professional treatment program.

This is a mistake because addiction is a disease that requires professional help to overcome. In treatment, you will receive the guidance and support you need to recover and build a healthy, sober life. There are many resources available to help people in recovery, so reach out for help if you feel like you are struggling.

Other common errors include not attending treatment, not taking medication as prescribed, and not following a healthy lifestyle. These can all lead to a relapse, so it is essential to be diligent in recovery. If you make a mistake, don’t be discouraged; get back on track and keep moving forward.

Thinking You Are Cured

One of the most common addiction recovery errors is thinking you are cured. Just because you have stopped using drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean you are healed. Addiction is a chronic disease that needs to be managed.

It’s essential to stay involved in treatments for addiction and sobriety group activities even after you’ve stopped using. Other common errors include not dealing with underlying issues, such as mental health disorders, and thinking you can control your addiction.

You’re more likely to relapse if you think you can control your addiction. It’s essential to be honest with yourself and realize that addiction is a disease that needs to be managed.

Measuring Your Success Against Others’

This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity and even sabotage your recovery. It is important to remember that everyone is on their journey, and there is no right or wrong way to do things. You are the only one who knows what works for you, so trust yourself and the process.

Another standard error is comparing your worst days to other people’s best days. This is not an accurate or fair way to measure your progress. Addiction recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is essential to celebrate your small victories along the way.

Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself if you stumble or relapse. This is part of the process and does not mean you are a failure.

Pick yourself up and try again. You are stronger than your addiction. If you are looking for an addiction recovery process, you can check out this residential treatment center.

Hanging Out With Your Old Buddies

Understandably, you want to maintain friendships, but these relationships can be a trigger for relapse. To stay sober, it is essential to avoid situations where drugs or alcohol are present. Additionally, it would help if you steer clear of negative influences and people who do not support your sobriety.

It’s important to surround yourself with positive people who support your recovery. Spending time with sober friends, participating in heavy activities, and attending recovery meetings are all great alternatives to hanging out with your old buddies.

When you’re tempted to hang out with your old buddies, remember that you’re not doing yourself any favors. You’re better off avoiding them altogether.

Ignoring the Problems With Mental Health

Mental health problems can lead to addiction and make it harder to recover. Getting help for mental health problems is essential before trying to recover from addiction.

This can be a huge mistake, as mental health disorders are often a significant factor in addiction. Mental health problems can make it much harder to stay sober and even cause relapse.

If you are in recovery, it is essential to make sure that you get help for any mental health problems that you may have. If you don’t, you may be putting your sobriety at risk.

Start Dating Right Away

It is important to take things slow after undergoing addiction treatment. This is because your self-esteem may be low, and you may be insecure.

Dating too soon can also lead to relapse. If you start dating right away, make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons and that you are ready to handle any challenges that may come up.

Thinking Treatment Is the Answer to Everything

This can lead to complacency and a false sense of security, ultimately leading to relapse. It is important to remember that addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease and that treatment is only one part of the journey to recovery.

There are many other important facets of recovery, including participation in a support group, developing a healthy lifestyle, and working on personal growth and development. Treatment is an integral part of the puzzle but is not the sole solution.

Remember to Use Positive Triggers

A positive trigger can help remind you of your goals and keep you motivated to stay on track. Common positive triggers include photos of loved ones, notes from friends or family, and reminders of your favorite activities. It is essential to use positive stimuli throughout your recovery journey to help you stay on track.

Without positive triggers, it’s easy to slip back into old habits. Some typical positive triggers include setting daily reminders, keeping a recovery journal, and attending support groups. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, try reaching out to a friend or family member for support.

Remember, recovery is a journey, and relapse is always a possibility. But if you stay positive and use positive triggers, you increase your chances of success.

Don’t Expect Others to Change

While it’s essential to encourage and support loved ones in recovery, it’s ultimately up to them to make the necessary changes. This often leads to disappointment and disillusionment when they don’t. It’s important to remember that you can only change yourself.

Trying to control or micromanage another person’s recovery is a recipe for disaster. It’s important to set boundaries and let go of any expectations. This can be not easy, but it’s necessary for healthy relationships.

It’s also essential to avoid enabling or codependent behavior. This means letting go of any attempts to control or fix the person in recovery. Instead, focus on your recovery and let them make their own decisions.

It’s important to remember that you can only control your own choices and actions. Trying to change someone else will only lead to frustration and resentment. If you find yourself in this situation, you can best focus on your recovery and let go of any expectations.

Worrying About the Future

This can be a vicious cycle, as worrying about what will happen tomorrow can lead to using drugs or alcohol today to cope. There is no way to predict the future, so worrying about it is pointless. It’s essential to live in the present and take things one day at a time.

If you worry about what will happen, try to distract yourself with positive activities or thoughts. Instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on the good things in your life and what you’re grateful for.

There will be ups and downs, but as long as you stay committed to sobriety, you will ultimately be successful. If you have a plan for your future, make sure it’s realistic and achievable. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; focus on healing and recovery first.

Drinking Alcohol

If you have been addicted to alcohol, you must abstain from drinking altogether. Moderation is not an option. Even if you only drink occasionally, it can trigger a relapse.

Another standard error is thinking you can drink as long as you don’t get drunk. This is not the case. If you are in recovery, you need to avoid drinking alcohol altogether.

Instead of controlling your drinking, it’s essential to focus on staying abstinent. Please commit yourself to staying away from alcohol and sticking to it. If you slip up and drink, don’t beat yourself up. Just get back on track and recommit to your sobriety.

Not Testing Your Willpower

One standard error is not testing one’s willpower regularly. People in recovery need to have a strong will to stay on track, but they often let their willpower slacken without realizing it. This can lead to a relapse.

People in recovery sometimes make the error of not being honest with themselves. They may deny their addiction or their ability to stay sober. To keep on the path to recovery, one must be honest with oneself.

Many people believe they can simply stop using the substance or behave in addictive behavior and will be fine. However, this is often not the case. The addiction has a firm hold on the person and can take over their life if they are not careful.

Missing AA/NA Meetings

Attending these meetings is essential to maintain sobriety and avoiding relapse. There are a few reasons why people may miss meetings, such as work, childcare, or transportation issues. However, there are ways to overcome these obstacles and ensure you attend conferences.

If you struggle to attend meetings, try finding an appointment closer to your home or work. You can also ask a friend or family member to provide childcare or give you a ride to the meeting. If you still have difficulty making it to meetings, consider reaching out to your sponsor or another member of AANA for support.

Avoiding Emotional Sobriety

People make many common errors in addiction recovery, but the most common and dangerous mistake is failing to achieve emotional sobriety. Emotional sobriety is essential to recovery but can be challenging to achieve and maintain.

Don’t try to numb your emotions with drugs or alcohol. This will only lead to further addiction and make it more challenging to deal with your feelings healthily.

Recognizing and expressing your emotions is a crucial part of emotional sobriety. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or scared. Don’t try to escape your feelings through unhealthy coping mechanisms like disordered eating, excessive exercise, or self-harm.

Understanding Addiction Recovery Errors

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s essential to be aware of the common mistakes people make in recovery to avoid them. These addiction recovery errors can lead to relapse and other addictions. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, get professional help and build a support network to increase the chances of a successful recovery.

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