Addiction Recovery Coping Skills

Recovering from addiction is best done through trying to build yourself a new life, a new lifestyle where it is much easier for you to not use. If you fail to make changes to your lifestyle, eventually you will return to using, and everything is just like a vicious circle. If you feel that you need outside help, you should reach out for help through the substance abuse counseling westchester ny office – the place where you get the help that you need to heal from your addiction.

There are tiny things in your life and your behavior that need to be changed so that addiction will not catch up with you again and again. One of the first things you should focus on is avoiding all high-risk situations. By these, it is implied that you will avoid simple things such as being hungry, angry, tired, or feeling lonely. In psychology, they use an acronym for this: HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). Certain cravings usually appear at the end of the day, after a long day at work. When you get home, you start to feel hungry, then angry, and so on. Be on the watch out for these feelings and do not let them overwhelm you. Keep well hydrated, eat throughout the day, catch up with good old friends and ensure to get a good night’s sleep. If you will not compromise on these, it will be much easier to keep your addiction at bay.

It is important to keep in mind that recovery does not require only one big change in your life. Recovery is made up of tiny little changes. For example, don’t look up friends that you used to share your glass with. Now is not the time. Don’t drive by your favorite bar and try to avoid people you would do drugs with. You must stand strong in front of all these challenges and inner callings.  Try to relieve tension through some other healthy behaviors. For example, start jogging or start swimming three to four times a week. Do everything that you can to slowly rebuild your old life, good old habits, and happiness.