Life After Addiction

Let’s say that, after months, maybe even years, of trying to fight off addiction, you finally find yourself successful. Finally, you can leave the rehabilitation center with your head held high. Finally, you can have that whiff of freedom that you’ve always dreamed of during those long arduous months of drying out and struggling with withdrawal symptoms. Finally, you find yourself at the other side of the gate, no longer a spectator, but a full participant in the growth and development of the world that you’ve long been denied. You take the first step out and towards your new life – and stop. What’s next?

Many people, after successfully completing their rehabilitation program, find themselves at a loss as to what they will do when they’re finally allowed to rejoin the ranks of society. The profound differences between the real world and the controlled confines of the rehabilitation centre can cause a newly-rehabilitated person to freeze up; the myriad of emotions assaulting him is too overwhelming. There’s something about the complete freedom that excites them, dizzies them and scares them. Suddenly, doubt creeps in and festers in the deepest crevices of the mind, insistent, persistent, indomitable… “What if I muck up my life like I did last time?”, “What if society doesn’t accept me?”, “What if I’m not yet ready?”, “What if… what if… what if?” And then, when they find themselves rendered immobile by the crippling uncertainty, they find themselves trapped in that downward spiral once again.

Life after rehab is daunting, but it is manageable. Those who have successfully regained their place in society are living testament to that. Life after rehab can be incredibly difficult, it can even be torturous… but impossible is the one thing it’s not.

Your Chances of Regaining Your Life Increase With Rehab

Addiction can completely ruin a person’s life. Unfortunately, when a person gets addicted to something, he actually needs that substance or that activity in order to function. Without it, he will go through the painful process of withdrawal. When confronted by others about his addictive behaviour, however, he denies it. He refuses to accept the fact that he is, indeed, dependent. His denial persists even if evidence to the contrary is impossible to refute. So he lashes out at the people who cared enough about him to ask. He refuses all treatment, falls further into depravity. After all, he tells himself, he’s not addicted, right? But in his deepest heart, he knows that this is not the case. He knows that he is indeed addicted.

The first step is acceptance. The road to recovery starts when you admit that you are, indeed, addicted. The first thing that you need to do once you’ve accepted your state is to go to a doctor. He can help you get over your addiction, give you drugs to stave off the withdrawal symptoms, connect you to an institution where you can ‘recover’ – a place where you can heal.

Do not be afraid of rehabilitation centres. They’re not prisons; they’re not designed to make you suffer. Rehabilitation is hard, of course, especially during those first few months when you are still learning how to live without your addiction. Withdrawal will be difficult, but there will be people who will help you get through those dark days.

Remember, life after addiction begins with rehabilitation.

Believe in Yourself - if others can do it, you can too

Once you’ve finished rehabilitation or while you’re on it, for that matter, always believe in yourself. You’re not alone. Others have walked this path before, and they have succeeded. Now, they’re living happy lives, better than the ones they used to have. They grew, and you can too. All you need to do is to get through the hard part.

Never fill your head with negative thoughts. Never tell yourself that ‘you can’t do it’. Always be optimistic about your recovery. If others can do it, then so can you

Keep Your Goals in Mind

If you’re having a particularly hard time during rehab, remind yourself why you’re there in the first place. Remind yourself about your goals and your reasons for getting admitted. Are you doing it for your family? Are you doing it for yourself? Whatever your reason is, always keep it in your mind and remind yourself often of it.

Stay in Contact With Your Loved Ones - they will be your pillars when you regain your freedom

Never lose contact with your loved ones as they will be your pillars when you get out of rehab. Keep in touch, send them letters, call them through the phone, and ask them to visit you. Seeing them and realizing how much they care for you will strengthen your resolve and help you get through the tough times. They will be there for you once you leave the institution, they will help you pick up the pieces.

Join a Support Group

Many people have struggled with addiction and many are still struggling. Those who want to change join a support group. Support groups will help you stay clear of your old vices. You can draw strength from the other members of the group and you can find comfort in those who are going through the same thing that you are.

An example of a support group would be ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’. Contact social services and they will connect you with the appropriate support group.

Learn to Say ‘No’

That day when you will meet someone from your ‘former life’ is inevitable. You have changed, but your former associates did not. They will come and try to undo all the good your therapists, your rehab and your own efforts have accomplished.

You will probably be tempted to try it. You may even be tempted to justify such a decision. After all, you’re cured, right? So what harm would a taste once in a while do?

You know the answer to that and no amount of self-deception will make this knowledge go away. Do not be lured by past temptations. It will be very hard to say no that first time, but if you manage to do that, you will find it a bit easier to do the next time, and the next – until you can say no without feeling tempted at all.