Any transition process is challenging. Simply moving from one place to another requires time, energy, and dedication. This is why navigating the transition from rehab to daily life can easily be overwhelming. The thought of it can even be crippling sometimes. But if other people can do it, so can you. You simply need to be educated, prepared, and willing. Having the willingness to transition from rehab to daily life is 50% of the process. To help you, we will enlist ten things that you need to know in order to ease into the transitioning process without feeling overwhelmed or drained. Understanding and keeping the following things in mind will greatly help you:
1. Recovery is a continuous process.
You will need more than one day to recover. It is not a thing that can be rushed and done with in just 24 hours. It will be an ongoing process of sticking to the good despite all the bad and the ugly. It will be a process where you will get to witness your progress as days go by. It will be an exciting and fulfilling one. It will require a huge chunk of your time.
2. Your coping mechanisms will be essential and crucial to your success.
You got into addiction because you did not know how to handle life’s challenges. You did not know better. It did not occur to you then that you could instead sit with the feeling and process everything instead of smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs. Now, you have a choice. Now, the power is in your hands. Now, you get to deal with challenges without escaping. Now you get to face challenges head on –– pain and all –– by using healthy coping strategies like meditating, moving, painting, and writing.
3. You should have a support network.
No journey to sobriety can ever be successful without a support network. You can have one even if you no longer have a family or you’ve cut-off most of your friends. Your counselor and therapist will provide you with one. Your fellow participants will also provide you support. You should have positive connections through and through.
4. You should have realistic goals.
Most people never reach their goals simply because they don’t know how to set goals. Goal-setting will play a big role in your transition. To do it effectively, your goals must be realistic. They must have a timeline that is true to who you are and where you are now. The last thing that you would want to do is to pressure yourself. When confused? Baby steps. You do not need to be grand or go big. You just need to start.
5. You should identify your triggers so that you may avoid them.
Do you know all your triggers? If you don’t know yet, then it’s time for you to sit down and actually enlist them. Knowing your triggers will help immensely as such awareness will allow you to be in control of your thoughts and your actions. If you already know that one thing or situation can make you feel a certain way, you could already avoid it and act accordingly. Knowing your trigger is essential when transitioning from rehab life to normal life.
6. You should continue with therapy and counseling.
Recovery will be successful if you will be consistent in connecting with your therapists and counselors. They will guide you every step of the way. They will be there for you when things get too overwhelming. They will always remind you that you are always in control and that you can do anything you put your mind into. You should never miss a chance to utilize their help.
7. Prioritize self-care
Most of your recovery and transition from rehab life to normal life will simply be centered in living a healthy and good life. A healthy and good life is when where you get to maintain your physical health, nurture your emotional wellness, and manage your stress. This can be done by actively incorporating healthy eating and regular exercise into your daily routine.
8. Have a routine
You will transition better and be fully in control if you will have a routine. Having a routine will allow you to be at ease and stable. Your routine should include not just work but leisure and self-care activities as well. You should aim to reduce idle time. Your routine should be purposeful and structure. Balance should be prioritized.
9. Celebration is a must!
You should also incorporate celebration in your daily life. You should live in such a way that all wins –– big or small –– are celebrated. You will need this. You need this because you need to make it clear to yourself that you can actually do things and achieve your goals. Your brain needs to fully understand that you are now the kind of person who is in control and successful in his or her endeavors. You need to empower yourself by never missing a chance to celebrate all the good things that you’ve done. You need to make it clear, tangible, and real that you are capable of doing things that you put your mind into!
10. Commitment is key.
The tricky challenges of transitioning can always be overcome is you will stay committed to your goal. You need to be committed to your wellness. You need to be committed to having a good life. Not because it is what you should aim for but because it is what you deserve. Everyone deserves an honest and good life. You deserve an honest and good life and it’s now that you start acting like it. You deserve a peaceful life free from all the troubles of substance abuse. If others can do it, so can you. You can do it.