The Importance of a Daily Routine in Addiction Recovery
A daily routine in addiction recovery can be one of the most beneficial things that you can do when trying to overcome drug and alcohol addiction. For too long, chaos and uncertainty ruled your life, and flying by the seat of your pants has been the daily norm. Have you ever thought about what a positive and productive routine could accomplish for you? Having certain things you do daily that could be calming and relaxing for you can help as you start the process of healing from drug and alcohol addiction. It is hard enough to overcome addiction, doing any little thing that can make it easier on you could only benefit you in the long run.
How is a Routine Beneficial?
Studies suggest that having a structured daily routine in addiction recovery is highly beneficial. Because you have a set way of doing things in place, daily, you know what is going to happen. Does this mean that you can’t add or change, adjust, and have fun? Absolutely not!
Having the structure of things that you do daily, can help to create discipline in your life. For instance, waking up and making your bed, eating breakfast, getting ready and going to work are obviously things everyone in recovery will do almost every day. Then, after work, creating a healthy routine of spending time with family and friends, and doing fun things while staying clean and sober can only help in achieving long-term recovery.
How to Create a Daily Routine in Addiction Recovery
Creating a daily routine in addiction recovery comes with some things you should do, and some things you shouldn’t do. As far as things you should do, these are positive and healthy things to implement into your life that can benefit you. The things you shouldn’t do are things that can cause strain and stress on your life. Keep an open mind as you go through the process of creating your daily routine in addiction recovery, and know that it is going to make things easier for you in the long run.
- Prioritize your recovery. When creating a daily routine in addiction recovery, remembering that you are trying to remain clean and sober is extremely important. Do things that benefit your recovery.
- Be consistent. When creating a routine for yourself, be as disciplined as possible and consistently do the things you set for yourself in your routine.
- Create goals. Creating small goals as a part of your daily routine in addiction recovery can make it so you have something you are reaching for. Once you reach that goal, you will feel accomplished and gain self esteem.
- Reward yourself. As you achieve the goals you have set for yourself, give yourself a little reward for doing so! This can help you to have a healthy balance between work and fun.
- Don’t overdo it. When it comes to a daily routine in addiction recovery, having balance is essential. Trying to do too much and too fast can be detrimental.
- Don’t be rigid. Discipline is an important component of a daily routine in addiction recovery, however flexibility is also important. Things don’t always go as planned, have a plan in place for when the original plan doesn’t work out. Be flexible and understanding.
Most importantly, create a routine that works for you, and your life. There is no one way of doing it. Just do what is best for you.
Who Can Help You Create a Routine?
This is totally your choice, you can choose to do things that you know are healthy for you. You can also seek guidance from friends in recovery. Asking people their experience with having a daily routine in addiction recovery can help you to really figure out what you should have as a part of yours, based on your needs. Having friends and family join you in recovery-related activities can help them to understand what it is that you need from them.
There is also the availability of seeking professional help when trying to create a positive and beneficial daily routine in addiction recovery for yourself. This can include addiction professionals like therapists or doctors but it can also include someone like a sponsor who has been where you are and managed to not only make a routine for themself, but have also managed to stay clean and sober.
Help for Addiction in Louisville, KY
When addiction takes hold it can be an extremely difficult cycle to break. Addiction may cause loss of friends and family member’s trust and loss of jobs. You may turn to extreme measures as a means of getting your next drink or drug. It can be a heartbreaking cycle. However, getting off the hamster wheel is possible! If you or a loved one suffer with substance abuse and addiction, Louisville Addiction Center can help. We offer a program that can help implement a daily routine into your life as you learn to live life without drugs and alcohol.
Our team of professionals is here to help guide you through the beginning stages of healing. Contact us today.