So, you have just been through a huge and dramatic change in your life. By completing addiction treatment for drug or alcohol abuse or for addiction to compulsive gambling, overwork, eating disorders, compulsive sexual behavior, or compulsive spending, you have given yourself a tremendous gift, i.e., the opportunity to start over, to begin anew, free of your addiction.
Maybe, it does not feel that way to you right now, but that could very well be because too much has happened all at once. You can benefit by taking some time to reassess your situation.
After all, since you made the decision to get clean and sober, this is a major lifestyle change in your life. What you do and how you do it from this day forward will be markedly different from how you lived your life before.
And it can be a lot to take in.
That’s why it is a good idea to step back, look at the items in your life that you need to address, the goals you’ve set for yourself, and the people you surround yourself with. Think of this activity as putting things in perspective. You have a goal, and that is long-term recovery.
- How do you get there?
- What are the things that you and your therapist talked about that are critical to successful recovery?
- What steps do you need to take, and in what order to jumpstart your recovery?
Don’t be alarmed if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed. Write down things that come to mind, whatever they may be. Whether it’s how to get a job or assimilate back into the one you currently have. How to repair damaged relationships, get your finances back on track, adopt a healthier lifestyle. Learn how to manage stress better, or find new sober friends, just write everything down.
Live in the Present
Last but not least, strive to live in the present. Today, the way you think and act, the decisions you make, the purpose with which you go about your day. That is what is most important in your recovery. Remember that yesterday is past, never to return. Tomorrow grows out of what you do today. With that in mind, live your life to the fullest, striving to do what you say and say what you do. Be thankful for your blessings, and give back to those whom you can.
Before long, you will no longer be worrying about what’s not happening in your recovery or what is not coming about soon enough to suit you. Instead, you will be joyous and alive and pursuing the life in recovery that you have created for yourself.
There is no one path to follow. There is no book that lays down exactly what you should think or do or say. Learning how to walk your path, follow the 12 steps as they pertain to you, and find your strength in recovery is truly and uniquely your journey. Begin today with confidence, hope, and determination to actively work your recovery and create the life you want and deserve.