Here is something important to remember: Getting treatment for a substance use disorder is a big deal. Not everyone can bring themselves to do it for one reason or another. But for those who decide to put drugs or alcohol behind them, the treatment process can help them get their recovery journey underway.
So, at the end of treatment, it only makes sense to feel like celebrating. Of course, this celebration might be much different from the ways you used to “celebrate” in the past—and that is an undeniably positive thing.
The early days of recovery offer plenty of challenges, but the sense of relief and happiness that comes from starting your recovery can help you see through those challenges.
As time goes on, however, those early feelings of joy might start to fade a bit. Your return to your day-to-day life might eventually start to feel boring or overly difficult or any number of other things. You might find yourself forgetting just how bad things were while you were under the ongoing influence of substances. You could even arrive at a place where you tell yourself that returning to drugs or alcohol would actually improve your life.
That, of course, is not true—but the feeling that it might be arises for plenty of people. To combat that idea so that it does not upend your recovery, we suggest remembering that being in recovery is always a reason to rejoice.
Let’s look at ways you can keep that fact front and center while protecting your hard-won recovery.
Take a Moment to Compare the Past and the Present
As a rule, we recommend avoiding too much rumination—that is, thinking about the past and all the things you might regret about it.
But sometimes a little comparing and contrasting can be a useful exercise for someone who needs a reminder of the ways in which recovery beats ongoing substance use.
For example, drugs or alcohol were almost certainly chipping away at your physical health and your mental health. Entering recovery has given you the opportunity to make improvements in those areas—and to continue to make improvements.
While you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you likely damaged some relationships, struggled at work or school, and found yourself having financial issues. Getting into treatment and starting your recovery has given you the chance to mend those relationships, get back on track at your job or in school, and be more responsible with your money.
A few moments of this sort of reflection should be enough to remind you that your life has improved as a result of getting treatment—and that is a reason to rejoice.
Take a Moment to Appreciate the Present
While we suggested comparing your past to your present, we would also recommend that you really think deeply about the things that bring you joy in your life right now. You might reflect on your strongest relationships, your healthy hobbies, and the opportunities opened up by your recovery.
One effective way to keep such things at the forefront of your mind is to get into the habit of keeping a gratitude journal. Journaling of various kinds can be a useful practice in recovery, and a gratitude journal is an excellent way to remind yourself of the many positive people and things in your life.
The most common approach to keeping a gratitude journal is to set aside some time each day—in the morning, midday, or the evening—to jot down three things you are grateful for. Those three items might be unique to the day in question, they might be recurring themes, or they might be a combination of the two. The idea here is to take the time to be actively grateful each day. Doing so supports your recovery.
Take a Moment to Consider the Future
When people think about the future, they often find themselves worrying about all sorts of things. That is understandable since the unknown is always a little frightening.
But we would encourage you to think about the future in decidedly upbeat terms. After all, your decision to get treatment and your commitment to your recovery mean that you actually have a future to look forward to. Had you stayed in the grips of drugs or alcohol, that might not be true.
Keeping a positive outlook about the future also firms up the foundations of your recovery.
That’s true even if the future you are thinking about is coming soon. Having something to look forward to provides a real boost to mood and to your recovery efforts.
Take a Moment to Consider Bel Aire Recovery Center
Located near Wichita, Kansas, Bel Aire Recovery Center offers personalized, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer medically supervised detoxification and a rehabilitation program that features group and individual therapy sessions designed to get you ready for your recovery. Once that recovery is underway, we provide a continuum of care, which means you can count on ongoing support from the team at Bel Aire Recovery Center.
