If you are a recovering alcoholic and drug addict like me, the thought and urge to relapse is always there, especially in early recovery. We fight so hard every day to not pick up a drink or drug. It might not take much for us to be triggered. A bad day at work, problems with family or personal relationships could drive us to a point of relapse. It can be even more difficult for those who struggle with mental health issues. A lot of us used drinking and drugs to self-medicate. In my case, it was for depression. Life becomes strange and frightening without drugs and alcohol. When I first got sober, I had no idea who I was. I only knew who I was when I was drinking or using. I highly recommend finding effective relapse prevention activities to keep yourself occupied. Do not isolate. The world is your oyster, step out of your comfort zone. Try new hobbies, explore different places or start an exercise routine. It is important to find healthy new habits to replace the old ones.
Fellowship and Sponsorship
The key to preventing a relapse goes beyond self-control. It goes beyond our own, individual strength. The fellowship of programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can work wonders on our path of recovery. We have to build strong support systems with others who have the same goal. Finding a good sponsor is important, as they should help guide you through the twelve steps. A good sponsor should always be there for you to contact whenever your sobriety could be in danger. The idea of fellowship, sponsorship and a twelve-step program is to work on ourselves first and foremost. The urge to relapse grows stronger if we isolate, stop attending meetings and discontinue sponsorship. Working these programs make life in sobriety much easier.
Therapy and Medication
The most common mental health issues are anxiety, depression and ADHD. Co-occurring disorders are very common among those who struggle with alcoholism and addiction. I recommend therapy and medication if it can benefit your sobriety. Do not feel ashamed to seek therapy and medication. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting extra help. A therapist can give you help and advice from an outside-looking-in perspective. I find it beneficial to have a professional you can go to for more personal matters. I always recommend a one-on-one therapist as another tool in the recovery toolkit.
Life and Death
Getting stuck in our own heads can always be a threat to sobriety. Meditation, mindfulness and yoga are becoming increasingly popular practices to calm any negative thoughts or feelings. I had days where I would question myself and my sobriety. I would repeatedly ask “why am I doing this?" While I was in treatment, a good friend of mine said it best: "We may have another relapse within us but we may never have another recovery.” One relapse could easily lead to the tragic loss of life. That is why a lot of us choose to get the help we need. We choose to stay sober because we understand that it can be a matter of life or death.
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