If you or someone you know is coming to the end of their addiction treatment program, it is important to know that the detox process does not end when you walk out of the facility. While addiction treatment can help you to break the physical dependency to drugs or alcohol, there is still a long road ahead for you to achieve wellness. The following five steps can help to continue the detox process after addiction treatment.
Adopt a Healthy Diet and Exercise Regularly
Drug and alcohol abuse often lead to poor eating habits. When your body is no longer dependent on these substances, nutrients that were once absent due to substance abuse can now be replenished. Eating regular, balanced meals can help to restore both your physical and mental health. Additionally, exercise releases endorphins that help to elevate your mood and aid in the detox process.
Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms
The detox process is comprised of more than just the physical dependence on drugs or alcohol. There are also mental components to addiction recovery, which involve learning how to deal with the stressors of life without drugs or alcohol. It is essential to replace unhealthy coping strategies, such as substance or alcohol use, with healthy ones, such as mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation techniques.
Develop Supportive Relationships
Finding support when transitioning from addiction treatment to everyday life is an invaluable step in the detox process. Supportive relationships can take many forms, whether it is professional, like a therapist, or a more personal relationship with friends and family. Positive relationships with peers can help to keep individuals accountable for their choices and remind them of the long-term goals.
Get Involved with an Addiction Recovery Program
Many people who have gone through addiction treatment find it helpful to stay involved in a recovery program. This can take the form of attending 12-step meetings, local support groups, or receiving one-on-one counseling with an addiction specialist. Participating in these activities can provide important structure and accountability, and remind individuals of the reasons why they undertook the detox process in the first place.
Consistently Evaluate Your Progress
It is important to stay mindful of what works and what does not when it comes to achieving sobriety. Individual progress will dictate the next steps in the detox process. More intensive recovery programs may be necessary for individuals who experience relapses, while those making progress may find that attending support groups or attending therapy sessions periodically will keep them on track.
Detoxing after addiction treatment can be a slow and arduous process, but by following the five steps outlined above, you can remain on the path to a substance-free lifestyle. Get started today by seeking help with establishing a healthy diet and lifestyle, learning healthy coping skills, developing supportive relationships, getting involved in recovery programs, and evaluating your progress along the way.