The process of recovering from an addiction is a difficult one. It’s important to include self-care in your recovery, as it is through this outlet that an individual can address their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Addiction’s Impact on Mental and Physical Wellness
Addiction is a chronic and complex disease that changes both brain function and behavior, causing people to behave compulsively and to prioritize their drug of choice over everything else. Addiction’s implications are as harmful as they are numerous. They can include negative impacts on mental and physical health, interpersonal difficulties, and run-ins with the law.
The stages of change in recovery are pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse prevention. Self-care is important in each stage, as it helps build a solid recovery that is capable of handling stress and addressing problems when they arise.
Maintaining Sobriety with Wellness and Self-Care
In order to stay healthy while in recovery, an individual must prioritize exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet. Equally important is learning to live in the here and now and to be mindful of one’s surroundings; practicing mindfulness and developing coping skills can help individuals handle stress. Learning how to resolve conflicts and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships can also help individuals maintain sobriety.
The Benefits of Self-Care for Recovering Addicts
Self-care’s physical, emotional, and mental health benefits are significant but are not the only reason an individual should practice self-care. Self-care, for those in recovery, entails being kind to oneself, forgiving oneself, and finding meaning in life. This is one of the most effective ways through which an individual can set aside their emotions to manage stress.
Self-care teaches people to establish boundaries and to also reach out to others who can and will help them when necessary. During the recovery journey, the person with a substance use disorder may reflect and see that ‘doing it for themselves’ has morphed into doing it for the loved ones that they now have back in their lives. Long before that point, however, self-care should be done for one and one reason only–and that reason is, “I am worth it.”
The Dangers of Skipping Self-Care in Early Recovery
There are significant risks to not making your self-care needs a priority in recovery. Not prioritizing self-care means risking more anxiety, stress, and depression, all of which increase your chances of falling back into your addiction. Also, without making self-care a priority, it is hard to find and maintain healthy ways of coping, which are necessary to be able to avoid triggers and cravings. Ultimately, by not making self-care a priority in your recovery, you could be setting yourself up for failure.
Self-Care in Addiction Recovery with Ray Recovery
Ray Recovery is a reputable drug rehab in Ohio that offers comprehensive and personalized treatment programs for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Our evidence-based approach to addiction treatment in Akron includes a combination of therapy, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and holistic therapies to address the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of addiction.
Ray Recovery understands the importance of self-care in addiction recovery and integrates self-care practices into treatment programs. We provide a supportive and compassionate environment where individuals can heal, grow, and achieve long-term recovery. Ray Recovery is committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to self-care and develop healthy coping mechanisms to maintain their recovery journey. Contact us today to learn more.
