What happens when you are all jazzed up, coming out of alcohol addiction treatment, and you just can’t seem to get it going? It is not that you are doing anything wrong. It just seems as though you are stuck in neutral, not going backward, but not moving forward, either. In a way, it is like a failure to recovery. It is actually alcohol in your system physically and emotionally that may be causing such issues. Not to worry. Here is what to do when your recovery stalls.
Talk Things Over with Family
Consider the most important people in your life – your family members. Your return home after treatment is a big deal, not only to you but also to them. Don’t you think that they may have some reservations or concerns about your ability to stay clean and sober? Maybe they are worried about saying or doing the wrong thing, afraid to set you off or stir up old arguments.
There’s really only one way to reintegrate back into the family, and that’s to begin by having an honest, caring conversation with the person you’re closest to. That person may be your spouse, parent, older child or another close family member with whom you live or interact on a daily basis. If you don’t have family, maybe it’s your best friend, your employer, or your neighbor.
Whoever you have an extremely close relationship with and with whom you share experiences, confidences, hopes, and dreams is the person (or persons) you should have this conversation with.
Express first your appreciation for their support and understanding. Tell the person that you are firmly committed to your recovery and ask for their continued help and support. The closer you are – say, with your spouse – the more you can and should feel free to say what’s on your mind. It’s also quite natural to feel reluctant to talk about what you’re afraid of or how you don’t think you’ll be able to withstand cravings and urges, but do mention concerns that you feel are critically important.
Your family is one of the two most critical components of your support network. The other is your 12-step group.
Have Some Fun
How long has it been since you’ve laughed? Recovery isn’t all boring schedules and tedious days filled with deprivation. Your new life can be boring – if that’s what you make it. But who wants a boring life? No one, of course. How do you make your life more interesting – and still be true to your recovery?
Start by having fun. If you have close friends who are sober, invite them over or go to a movie with them. A comedy would be a great choice. Family members that you haven’t seen for a while are a wonderful source of stories and shared experiences.
Take up a hobby or get involved in recreational activities that you enjoy. Not only will you be out and about with other people who are good for your sobriety, but you will also be doing something creative or helping yourself become more physically active and fit.
When you’re involved and enjoying what you’re doing, it’s hard to be down in the dumps or think that you’re not achieving this or that in your recovery. In fact, effective long-term recovery depends on you broadening your circle of sober friends, involving yourself in healthy activities, and building upon your solid foundation.
Not only that, but laughter and having a good time with close friends and/or family makes you feel good. Laughter releases endorphins, the feel-good chemical, in the brain, and it is totally good for you.
