How to build a supportive routine after addiction treatment

A supportive routine can help someone take bigger steps towards a healthier lifestyle

RETURNING TO EVERYDAY life after finishing a treatment program can prove to be just as challenging as overcoming an addiction itself. Work, family, friends, old habits and more can contribute to difficulties during the rehabilitation process.

A supportive routine can help make this period a little less stressful by offering the individual structure to continue utilizing the skills learned during their treatment.

That structure looks different for everyone. Some people build it at home around work and family, while others spend a period in sober living in California first, and both routes lead to the same place.

Establish a Consistent Daily Schedule

Having a regular schedule to follow can help reduce unnecessary stress in one’s life. The schedule does not need to be fancy, just something that sets a general structure around the most important parts of the day.

Having a morning routine can be helpful in setting the tone of the day, something that allows an individual to have a purpose right when they wake up, which can help carry over into their overall goals.

Build Healthy Habits

Simple habits can be the most powerful addition to any routine. Eating well, sleeping enough, working out, getting fresh air and more can all become essential building blocks of a successful day-to-day life after rehab. Of course none of this is a replacement for professional help, but rather a complement to one’s treatment.

It is also a good idea to pick and choose which beneficial habits to incorporate, as a failed attempt at a strict regimen can be detrimental to one’s progress.

Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

Your friends and the places you frequent can play a big role in where your life ends up. It may be a good idea to step back from certain people or places that are associated with your substance use. This does not mean one has to make enemies, but rather to assess which of their contacts are a positive influence and which ones repeatedly create unnecessary pressure.

Give Your Day a Purpose

An empty schedule can leave a person with more unstructured time than is helpful. Having a job, school, volunteering, hobbies or anything else that can fill time up can be important to one’s wellbeing.

Consider a Structured Living Environment

For some people, the transition from rehab back into total independence can be just as challenging as the rehab itself. This is why some people may benefit from a structured sober living environment to help them re-adjust before fully entering back into society.

There are several different types of sober homes to choose from, each offering something different. It is good to focus on what one needs most in their sober living environment and find somewhere that best suits those requirements.

Continue Attending Therapies and Meetings

Although completing a treatment program may seem like the end of the road, it does not mean that professional or peer support should stop. Depending on how things go, one may still need to continue attending outpatient therapies or meetings as a form of continued support. Having someone to talk to when things get bad can be invaluable to somebody in the early stages of recovery.

If there is something in your routine that is not working, it is usually better to talk to a professional about it, rather than trying to work it out yourself.

Have a Plan for Tough Times

No matter how well thought out your day-to-day life may be, everybody will eventually come across a tough situation that can throw them off track.

It helps to have a plan and know what to do in advance, instead of being blindsided by it. Know who to contact and where to go during these situations, as it can save a lot of time and headache in the long run. It is also good to have a couple of go-to places or activities that can help put things into perspective when things start to get out of hand.

Set Realistic Goals

Having goals gives most people something to look forward to and something to strive for in their everyday life. A goal can be as simple as finding a job, reaching out to family members, learning something new, staying active or just getting enough sleep each night.

Keep the Structure of Your Day Flexible

Although having a regimen to follow is important, it is also important to keep in mind that life does not always stop to accommodate you.

It is crucial that one sets up a helpful routine that they can keep up with, rather than something that they can only do for a short while.

Conclusion: Focus on Building a Lasting Life

Making lasting choices is just as important as making better choices. While it is good to break bad patterns, it can also be important to build better patterns that make it easier to avoid pitfalls in the future.

Having a consistent daily schedule, beneficial habits, positive social interactions, meaningful activities, continued support and an appropriate living environment can help someone take bigger steps towards a healthier lifestyle. It is all a matter of using the tools provided to set the right foundations of an improved lifestyle after rehab.