One of the hardest things a person with addiction can do is ask for help. In most cases, they have to hit rock bottom before they can admit they have a problem.
The best thing an addict can do is get help from a rehabilitation facility. Once they have regained sobriety, they need to avoid temptation and change their lives, or risk falling back into the same bad habits that caused them to turn to drugs or alcohol in the first place.
Adopting the principles of self-care can help manage the stress that comes with living as a recovering addict in modern society.
Here are some tips on how to stay on the straight and narrow.
1. Seek therapy and stick with it
Those who beat their addiction and stay sober after rehab often need help from mental health professionals.
Many people do not realise that underlying mental health issues have a big impact on addiction. Failing to get to the bottom of these can lead to a relapse.
With professional help, you can work through your past trauma and make a plan for staying sober. Having a therapist is also a great way to talk about the problems you are facing in your new daily life.
2. Exercise daily
Recently sober individuals tend to struggle with anxiety and depression. These bad feelings can drive a person to give in to their desire to use drugs or alcohol again. Exercising is a great option to reduce depression and anxiety.
Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of intense interval training every day for full benefits. Not only will exercising make you feel better mentally, it will also help get your body into better shape.
3. Get the right amount of sleep
If you are not getting enough sleep, it is only a matter of time before deprivation catches up with you. One of the best ways to improve your sleep is to get into a good nighttime routine.
Get into bed about an hour before you intend on falling asleep. Keep the room dark and cool, and invest in a comfortable bed, sheets and pillows. Avoid using electronic devices or watching television as this can stimulate your brain.
As time goes by, your nighttime routine will become second nature. You will wake up ready to take on your day, and be less tempted to fall back on old bad habits.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg. Connect with him on Twitter @dennisr_howell.