In two recent blog posts, we have used sports as a jumping off point.
In “Recovery is Not a Competition,” we encouraged readers to remember that while many things in life—including, of course, sporting events—are competitions, recovery is decidedly not about comparing yourself to others.
In “Consider What is Out of Bounds in Recovery,” we used the confines of fields of play as a metaphor for deciding what is in bounds and what is out of bounds for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder.
In this post, we are going to use a specific sport to consider some important recovery ideas. And even though the most recent season is over as we write this, we are going to look to baseball (go Wichita Wind Surge!) for those ideas. Let’s play ball!
Focus On the Fundamentals
Each year, all the Major League Baseball teams participate in Spring Training to get ready for the season ahead. Spring Training is all about getting back into the swing of things after the long winter break. That means there is plenty of work on the fundamentals of baseball, like fielding ground balls, turning a double play, hitting the cutoff man on a throw from the outfield, and much, much more.
Consider that these are the best baseball players from far and wide—folks who have been playing baseball at a high level for a long time. Still, they come together every year for some intensive practice of the fundamentals because those basic plays can be the difference between a win and a loss during the long regular season.
For a person in recovery, a focus on the fundamentals is equally crucial. There are foundational practices that help keep your recovery intact. Here are nine of those fundamentals—one for each inning in a baseball game:
- Attend 12-Step or other recovery meetings regularly
- Identify and practice techniques for dealing with cravings
- Eat healthily (here’s the start of a whole series on this subject)
- Exercise regularly
- Create and maintain a consistent, restful sleep schedule
- Build mutually supportive relationships and end toxic relationships
- Find various ways to reduce your stress levels (here are 10 ideas)
- Tap into a sense of purpose and wonder in day-to-day life
- Cultivate a spirit of gratefulness and service
Develop and Deploy Your Individual Skills
Baseball is a game that requires different skills at every position. The pitcher, for example, needs an effective arsenal of pitches to get batters out. The catcher needs to know how to manage the pitcher, how to keep the ball in front of him at all times, and how to throw out a runner trying to steal a base. A right fielder needs a strong throwing arm and the ability to make accurate deliveries to his teammates. A shortstop, second baseman, and first baseman need to know various ways to turn a double play. And—with the exception of pitchers—all these players need to know how to hit (and even that skill can be subdivided into a bunch of different skills).
These various skills demonstrate an important truth about recovery: There is more than one way to do it successfully. That does not diminish the importance of the fundamentals listed above, but it does suggest that you can really lean into the parts of your recovery journey that work best for you.
Maybe that means volunteering for a cause that brings you joy. Maybe that means taking responsibility for making sure your friend group gets together regularly rather than letting weeks and months go by. Maybe that means diving into an engaging hobby as a way to keep stress at bay and protect your recovery.
You Are Not On the Field Alone
Though every player on the team needs some strong individual skills, the fact is that baseball is a team sport. Teams win or lose together rather than as individuals.
Recovery is also a team “sport.” The members of your team might include:
- Supportive family members and friends
- Members of your faith community
- Your doctor, therapist, sponsor, and/or recovery mentor
- Those who attend the same recovery meetings you do
- Your treatment center staff and alumni of the program
Putting together a strong team makes it more likely that you will maintain your recovery for the long run. And that, of course, is a big win.
Getting Into Treatment Is a Home Run
At Bel Aire Recovery Center, located near Wichita, Kansas, we offer personalized, evidence-based treatment plans for those struggling with a substance use disorder. We are also able to address co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or issues grounded in trauma. We understand that no two people or situations are identical, so we never turn to cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we build our plan around you.
After your time in treatment comes to an end, you can count on us to stay on your team as we provide ongoing support and resources as your recovery journey gets underway. We will do more than just root, root, root for your recovery success. We will help you rack up the wins over time.
