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<\/p>\nContrary to popular belief, you don’t quit addiction by simply abstaining. You don’t recover from it by just stopping your use of drugs or your drinking. Recovery is actually more than that. Recovery means you build a new life.<\/p>\n
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While you don’t really have to change every aspect of your life and move to a new country or change your name, recovery entails that you make some major life changes. For one, you have to get rid of some behaviors that get you into sticky situations, bringing you stress and thereby increasing your cravings for drugs, alcohol, or behavioral addictions. In other words, by still keeping your old life, the harder it becomes to move on as a recovering drug dependent.<\/p>\n
Here are some addiction recovery skills that can help you stay on the right path–and stay sober.<\/p>\n
1. Avoid high-risk situations. There are certain situations that can make you crave for drugs or alcohol. These are when you are idle, lonely, tired, hungry, angry or upset, or just plain bored. Avoid these feelings by finding something you’re passionate about, having a clear direction in your life, and finding a good outlet for letting off steam.<\/p>\n
2. Find a good escape. Your lifestyle when you’re in active addiction must change drastically now that you want to be sober and have learned the recovery skills that you need to now apply in real life. People use drugs or alcohol as a way to relax, escape, or unwind. However, a successful recovery entails that you find healthier hobbies and habits.<\/p>\n
3. Self-love.\u00a0You have to put your recovery first by putting yourself first. That is the only way you can be sober enough and applying your recovery skills for a long-term life away from drugs, alcohol, or even behavioral addictions. Learn to listen to what your body tells you and always give yourself room to grow and learn. Be kind to yourself.<\/p>\n
4. Apply coping skills. Part of your recovery skills is an arsenal of coping behaviors that you can employ in trying situations. One important coping mechanism is stress management. When you’re stressed out, you are more likely to think negatively and act impulsively. Therefore, when you learn recovery skills such as positive stress management, you become calmer and more present, thereby giving you less risk of falling back to addiction.<\/p>\n