Successfully completing drug rehab in Arizona sets the foundation for a strong recovery. But this process is not without its challenges. The first few months and years of recovery are typically hardest, as this is when your brain is recovering, you’re re-entering society and you’re learning new coping strategies. Until your brain heals and you’re comfortable managing stress on your own, there are a number of challenges you may face.
Below are seven common hurdles you may encounter in recovery, as well as strategies to help you cope. It’s important to know that you are not alone and that many individuals experience these struggles early on. You can find a great deal of support from fellow AA/NA members and others in recovery.
1. Developing New Coping Skills
Getting sober isn’t just about quitting drugs and alcohol. It also involves developing a new lifestyle that supports your recovery. To do this, you’ll need to establish healthy coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety. It can take time to find the techniques that work for you.
For example, meditation helps many individuals stay calm and clear their minds. But it takes practice to learn how to meditate and be effective at it. You’ll also need to learn how to identify harmful behaviors and replace them with new, healthy ones. All of this takes time, but eventually, you’ll learn how to manage stress without drugs and alcohol.
2. Building New Relationships and Repairing Old Ones
People who struggle with substance use also tend to struggle in their relationships. This happens because the addiction takes front and center stage and relationships with friends and loved ones become strained and break down. In recovery, you’ll work on repairing relationships with loved ones and establishing new friendships.
Forgiveness is a big part of this process, as you likely caused pain to others during the addiction. It’s also possible that others caused you pain, which is why you turned to substances in the first place. Forgiving yourself and others can take months or even years. During this time, you’ll also learn how to communicate in a healthy way, trust others and be vulnerable in your support groups.
3. Staying Busy and Preventing Boredom
During your time in drug rehab in Arizona, your days are structured. But when you complete the program, it’s normal to have extra free time on your hands, especially if you’re not working yet. While there is nothing wrong with having a little down time, you do want to avoid an excess. Too much time on your hands can leave you feeling bored, and boredom is a known trigger for relapse.
The hours you used to spend using drugs or alcohol will now need to be filled with other activities like reading, playing sports or engaging in other hobbies. It takes time to find new activities that you love. Be sure to follow your aftercare plan, attend meetings and spend time with loved ones.
4. Finding Your Purpose
After drug rehab, many people struggle to find their purpose in life. For so long, drugs or alcohol consumed your life, and it likely robbed you of ambition and direction. Now that you are living a sober life, you have to reconnect with yourself and build a life of purpose and meaning. This can be difficult.
One of the best ways to find your life purpose is to try new hobbies and interests such as yoga, art or music. Volunteering is also a wonderful way to give back to your community and help others. Once you find your purpose, you can enjoy all the benefits that come with it, such as better health, longevity and economic success.
5. Risk of Relapse
The risk of relapse following drug rehab in Arizona is high, regardless of the substance you were using. For many individuals, relapse is a part of the healing journey. Like other habits that are difficult to break – biting nails, twirling hair, smoking cigarettes – quitting drugs or alcohol often takes more than one try.
It’s important to know that relapse does not appear out of nowhere – it’s a process with warning signs. By recognizing these signs, you can get yourself the support you need and avoid relapse. And if you do end up relapsing, it’s important to admit the slip up and get help immediately. With additional treatment, you can get back on track and continue building a life of sobriety.
6. Transitioning Back to Society
Another challenge for people in recovery is transitioning back to society. This looks different for everyone, but it essentially involves returning to your life before the addiction. You may need to find employment, help out at home or pay bills. This process can be intimidating, especially when you’re still learning about yourself and developing new coping skills.
Fortunately, you do not have to re-enter society alone. Your friends and loved ones should be a source of support, but you will also find this compassion and understanding from your support groups and treatment team. Remember to take one day at a time, as eventually, you’ll be able to manage more responsibilities at home and work.
7. Addressing Underlying Trauma
It’s not uncommon for people with substance use problems to suffer from trauma. It’s often this trauma that leads individuals to use drugs or alcohol to cope with the pain they are experiencing. If you have a background of trauma, dealing with this without drugs or alcohol can be difficult. Instead of numbing your emotions, you’ll have to deal with them head on.
Since it takes time and work to recover from trauma, it’s important to continue meeting with a therapist or counselor, as well as participate in group therapy. Therapy allows you to continue your healing journey by working through past trauma so that it no longer brings you the same pain. Your chosen coping strategies will also be helpful, such as meditation, yoga or exercise.
Drug Rehab in Arizona
While addiction recovery comes with many challenges, it’s a journey worth taking. You get to learn about yourself, discover your life purpose and heal from past trauma or mental illness. A new, better life awaits! Having the right team by your side can make all the difference in your success. To learn more about the outpatient programs offered by Wolf Creek Recovery, contact our caring professionals today.
