You’ve spent months in treatment and you’re now entering into an aftercare plan. You may be wondering how you can continue to stay sober now that you’ve completed your treatment.
Through your aftercare plan, remember one important thing: you have a safe support network. Any time, day or night, your supports are only ever a phone call or text away.
Dr. Bryan Negrini, owner and physician at OARS understands that it takes work. “Addiction is like any other chronic disease – It takes work to get control of it and stay healthy.”
Keep these things in mind as you’re sticking to your aftercare plan:
Have Realistic Expectations
Sobriety is not a straight and narrow path. It’s going to take time, patience, and effort. It’s especially important that you set realistic expectations for your recovery. Don’t rely on just yourself to set those expectations. Talk to professionals and go to a meeting, so they can help you set goals and expectations. Also consider meditating or exercising when you’re feeling overwhelmed, rather than using. Also remember that sometimes you’re not going to feel great, but as long as you keep going, you’re still making progress.
Grow Your Sober Community
You don’t have to face post-treatment by yourself. In fact, it’s recommended that you don’t go it alone. Having a sober community is so incredibly important to maintaining your sobriety. You have the OARS community, counselors, those from meetings you’ve attended, and friends and family in your corner. Through your recovery, remember that you are not alone.
Focus on the Long-Term
Now that you’ve gone through treatment, it’s important to focus on the big picture. You may be used to focusing on 30 days at a time, but focusing on long-term goals will help you thrive in recovery. You’re now equipped to handle the ups and downs of recovery, while still keeping your eye on the journey of recovery. Staying sober is a lifelong commitment. You have the power to set the foundation for that by building your community, establishing healthy habits, and learning which practices are most helpful for you. You don’t have to create this plan alone, though. Through every step of building out your aftercare plan, OARS is here for you, as well as your other supports.