In drug addiction recovery, clients learn how to maintain their newfound sobriety. One of the most important focuses is on learning how to cope with stress, temptations, and obstacles in life. This list of coping skills is just a sample of the many ways that people can stay on track to their lifelong recovery.
Do you need to know more about addiction therapy programs? Call us today at 866.262.0531 for more information.
5 Coping Skills for Addiction
Recovering from addiction is challenging, even under the best circumstances. However, there are things you can do to make the experience better:
1. Find Healthy Ways to Relax
Relaxation is one of the hardest things to accomplish during addiction recovery. When clients are active and busy in rehab or their everyday lives, they don’t have time to dwell on addiction. Once individuals have some free time, however, those cravings can come crashing down. It’s important to find healthy ways to relax that can be rejuvenating but distracting, including:
- Walking or hiking outside
- Joining a club
- Art-related activities
Some people find that a walk outdoors is the ideal way to unwind. Others love shopping for ingredients and then cooking a delicious meal to savor. Taking a bubble bath or watching a favorite television show are also great ways to relax.
2. Practice Emotional Regulation with Your Sober Support Network
Trying to overcome addiction on your own is never a good idea. No one is perfect, but a support system can keep you from making serious mistakes that might jeopardize your recovery. This support system is a safety net for your sobriety. Your support system can be anyone you trust who truly cares about your recovery. Often, it will be members of a local support therapy group, family members, or close friends. Don’t be afraid to rely on them when you need support.
3. Realize That Gratitude Counts
Addiction often comes with a victim mentality. Many people who struggle with addiction blame their situation on anyone and anything. They feel like victims of their circumstances, which absolves them of guilt. There’s no reason to feel guilty about the illness of addiction, but you should try to cope with the situation by practicing gratitude. When people focus on the positives in their life, it can boost mood and even overall health. You may find that your situation isn’t as bad as you once thought. You can practice gratitude in a brief mental exercise in the shower every day, or you could keep a journal where you express gratitude in writing.
4. Physical Activity in Recovery Makes a Difference
Physical exercise is one of the most popular and most effective choices on this list of coping skills. Exercise of all types can boost circulation, mood, and endorphins. It’s a fantastic way to deal with stress, and it can fit into any lifestyle. Going for a walk, running, hiking, or doing yoga are all excellent ways to get physical activity into your routine.
5. Self-Care and Healthy Sleep Habits Are Vital
Self-care is a crucial coping skill for recovery. Practicing self-care means understanding what you need to do to stay healthy and happy. This can include getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, eating nutritious meals, practicing relaxation techniques, or taking the time to enjoy hobbies like reading or painting. Self-care also includes using your support network when needed. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. Healthy sleep habits are just as important as self-care. Make sure that you get at least seven hours of quality sleep each night and avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine before bedtime.
Substance Use Disorder Programs
At Crestview Recovery, clients can prepare for a lifetime of recovery. That means learning the necessary coping skills that can prevent relapse along the way. Clients can accomplish this through all of the following methods:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family counseling
- Life skills rehab
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
The desire to eliminate discomfort, when left unchecked, can override many important activities that help us strive for natural success and joy in our lives. Many people who struggle with substance addiction can become entrenched in the denial phase of coping with life’s stressors and traumas. This phase makes it especially difficult for you to recognize the signs of substance use in your own life. This can mean that it may take the possibility of serious consequences, such as loss of loved ones, loss of employment, an accident, legal troubles, or suicide attempts, before we can even consider a change.
Addiction Recovery Starts Today
The right coping skills can make a big difference on your journey to better health. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, you’ll have the support necessary to create your own effective coping skills. Call 866.262.0531 to learn more about your custom path to lifelong drug addiction recovery.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
