Leaving rehab can be both exciting and incredibly daunting for an ex-addict. This is your opportunity to start a brand new life, which in some ways is more difficult than becoming sober. While the professionals at your rehab will do their best to help you prepare, you still might feel anxious about the transition. You might want to rebuild relationships with your friends and family and gain new interests. You’ll also have to make adjustments to prevent yourself from relapsing back into your old habits. This will require hard work, patience and support throughout. So to make sure your post-rehab life is a complete success, read through the following tips.
Talk to your loved ones
When you were addicted, it’s likely you didn’t treat your loved ones with the love and respect they deserve. This could have lead to breakdowns in communication and trust between you and your friends and family. Now you have finished your rehab program; it’s time to start rebuilding bridges. Talk to them about your experience at your alcohol or methamphetamines rehab and how it’s changed your outlook. Remember that your loved ones might need time to accept and trust the new you. Listen to their concerns and ask them how you can repair the damage you have caused. If they aren’t ready to talk just yet, you could write to them instead. Give them the time they need and apologize sincerely for how you treated them.
Remove bad influences
Reconnecting with people you used to drink and take drugs with is the last thing you should be doing post-rehab. No matter how strong your willpower is, rejoining these friends could cause temptation and peer pressure. This could result in you quickly resorting back to your habit. Their continued excess drinking and drug taking should tell you that they don’t actually support your sobriety. You will probably also find that your perspective and priorities now vary dramatically. So as upsetting and challenging as it might be, remove these negative influences from your life. Make your happiness and sobriety a priority and don’t look back.
Discover a new interest
Once you leave rehab, you might feel that there is a void where your addiction used to be. Instead of relapsing, you need to fill this void with something enjoyable and constructive. Find a new interest which you can practice in your spare time. It might be volunteering at an animal sanctuary or joining an exercise class at a local gym. You may even want to go back to school or take online courses to pursue your dream career. This interest will give you focus and a positive outlet, particularly in times when you are feeling vulnerable. It could also give you the opportunity to make new sober friends and gain further support.
The most important thing for you to remember is not to take on more than you are able to handle. It is going to take time for you to readjust and adapt to your new lifestyle. Stay in control and accept support to increase your chances of a sober and successful life.
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