Talk to anyone who has come out of residential drug rehabs, stopped smoking, or has gone through AA, and they will tell you that getting through the initial program is only half the battle. Once addicts have overcome their initial addiction and they return to their normal lifestyle many find themselves tempted back to their old ways. This common problem is not easy to overcome and it may likely never go away. Drug rehab experts say the five following tips can greatly reduce your risk of relapsing regardless of your addiction.
1. Learn A New Way To Battle Stress
Most addicts turn to their vice when they are faced with a stressful situation or difficult choice. After leaving residential drug rehabs or other method to overcome addiction, reducing stress is still important, but you need a different way of doing that. Some people go for a walk, some listen to music, and others knit. Whatever it is, make sure it is something that you enjoy doing so that you don't have to make yourself do it and add to an already stressful day. Some drug rehab experts say that carrying a rock or small item in your pocket is enough -- simply rub it or move it around with your fingers so that you are forced to think about something else.
2. Avoid Temptation
Most people use their drug at a certain time or in a certain place say drug rehab experts. For smokers, this is often with their first cup of coffee in the morning. For shopping addicts, this could be lunch hours spent at the mall. Identify when these danger times are for your and eliminate it from your life. Smokers can have juice in the morning after having a shower while the shopaholic can avoid malls completely.
3. Choose A Healthier Lifestyle
Residential drug rehabs say addicts often choose friends and lifestyles that surround their addictions. Their friends often share the same addiction making it difficult to resist the urges to relapse. It also helps if you make your addiction difficult to come back. Remove the substance or problem from the home and try not to carry cash. If you are a former smoker, toss the ashtrays and give away your lighters.
4. Remind Yourself Why You Quit
As time goes by, it can be difficult for the addict to remember why they sought help to begin with. Experts from many of the leading residential drug rehabs recommend that you do what you need to so that you don't forget. Put signs up in your bathroom with bullet points stating the benefits of overcoming your addiction. Most experts agree that having friends and loved ones help by taking time to remind you why you quit can have remarkable effects on the after-care of an addict.
5. Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself
Take time out on a regular basis to congratulate yourself on a job well done. Rejoicing in even the smallest steps is often all most former addicts need. This added boost to your motivation is enough to remind yourself why you started in the first place and gives you the encouragement to start new goals.
While nothing will guarantee that a relapse will not occur, drug rehab experts say these five methods can make a significant impact on the addict's chance of success. As a last little piece of advice, residential drug rehabs recommend that all former addicts should seek help immediately if they find their life starting back in the opposite direction.
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