If you or a loved one has struggled with addiction, you know how challenging it is to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety. Setbacks and relapses are a necessary part of recovery in rehab facilities like Impact Recovery Center Atlanta because the road is not one-way, despite how challenging it may be to accept this. However, what factors make a long-term recovery more likely? Some of them are listed below:
Compassion
Compassion is one of the most important factors for recovery from addiction, and it helps addicts and those around them recover. Compassion allows the person who has become addicted to accept accountability, which can make the difference between sobriety and relapse. When someone feels cared for, they don’t want to let them down. They may call someone to help them work through a relapse.
Compassion also helps people build strong relationships. Strong social networks are essential to recovering from addiction. They give individuals purpose and meaning. They also provide emotional and financial support. You can build your social network and help others heal by developing your compassion for yourself and others.
The process of recovery is difficult for anyone, but change will be easier if you are kind, understanding, and supportive. It will allow the brain to heal. Once this happens, the brain will not need the addictive substance or behavior to experience a pleasure. Real joy can be found in the simplest things in life.
Support
A supportive, receptive community is a critical component of recovery. In addition, individuals must work toward a common goal and prioritize certain aspects of their journey. These include establishing a structured daily routine, ensuring the environment is balanced and establishing sobriety as a top priority.
A person’s family and friends must show empathy, support, and encouragement during treatment. Supporting and encouraging family and friends will help them overcome the first obstacle to undergoing treatment. If these factors are lacking, the person will be less likely to remain sober.
The first 90 days following treatment are critical. Substance abusers are at the highest risk for relapse during this period, but it begins to decrease after that point. People undergoing treatment must receive the most intensive support possible during these first three months. While undergoing treatment, individuals who recover from addiction typically have altered sensitivity to reward and stress. Furthermore, they may need ongoing care for the duration of recovery.
Self-Care
It’s important to understand the difference between self-care and selfishness. Selfishness is when you indulge yourself more than your body needs. Self-care is different from pampering. While you might think treating yourself to luxury will solve your problem, it will only lead to another addiction.
Self-care involves not only caring for the body but also for the mind. It means setting boundaries, expressing them clearly, and communicating them to others. Setting boundaries reduces the chances of experiencing negative situations and enhances your mind. Another important form of self-care is learning new skills. This can be done through individual therapy, a new job, or a new hobby. Learning new skills helps people feel more satisfied with their abilities and increases confidence.
Another important self-care practice is to schedule regular visits to the doctor. It’s critical to get regular checkups from a health professional because many addicts put off medical visits.
Exercise
Exercising has many benefits for recovering addicts, including improved sleep. Sleep is vital for mental health, and many addicts have insomnia, which can be aggravated by substance abuse. Regular aerobic exercise can help improve sleep quality the same night, and even a few minutes of aerobic activity each day can reduce insomnia. Exercise also helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep through the night.
Physical activity has many benefits, including improving physical health and preventing various medical conditions. Some researchers believe that physical activity can also help people recover from addiction. Many reputable addiction rehabilitation facilities incorporate physical activities into their treatment programs. Exercise can have a positive impact on recovery and can act as a natural substitute for addictive substances. It activates the reward pathway in the brain, which leads to the release of feel-good chemicals.
Exercise may help people recover from addiction by decreasing the self-administration of drugs and reducing other risk factors. Although research is needed to determine which parameters are effective, exercise-based interventions are important in substance use treatment programs.
