As you would expect, this blog post is about your recovery from a substance use disorder. But before we get to that, we would like you to take a moment to think about your favorite song.
It might take a moment for you to settle on a single song. After all, the world is filled to bursting with music, and new music is coming out constantly. Even so, there is a good chance you can come up with a song that you have loved for a long time that you might say is your very favorite.
Now, if you are of a certain age and your favorite song is from years ago, it is possible that you have listened to it in various formats over the years. Maybe you first heard the song on the radio and then purchased it as a 45 RPM record—or bought the whole vinyl album it appeared on. It is possible you played your favorite song on an 8-track tape and then on a cassette tape. Maybe you replaced that cassette with a CD—and that CD with an MP3 file. Maybe these days you listen to it on your favorite streaming service.
That is a lot of different ways to listen to the same song. But the important thing—given that the song is your favorite—is that it is the same song no matter the format.
Okay, it is time to think about your recovery. We would like to suggest that your hard-won recovery is like your favorite song. You might find yourself employing a lot of different “formats” in order to keep it rolling on. Each way you work on maintaining your recovery is equally useful—just like each way of playing your favorite song is equally useful when you want to hear it.
Your Recovery Should Always Be Music to Your Ears
Our suggestion here is that you can think of each activity you do to support your recovery as a different—but equally useful—approach.
Think of it this way: If you want to hear your favorite song, you can dig out your old cassette tape, spin your CD, or search for the song online. If you want to support your recovery, you can pursue regular exercise, get plenty of restful sleep, or work on eating more healthily.
Now imagine that you had many different stereos and speakers at your disposal—and you could sync them up perfectly. Then you could play your cassette, your CD, and an online version of your favorite song all at the same time. That would amplify the sound, right?
That same sort of amplification is available when you combine recovery-supporting behaviors like exercise, rest, and healthful eating. So while we are not sure you need to play all the formats of your favorite song at once, we are sure that layering various behaviors that firm up the foundation of your recovery produces something powerful.
And make no mistake: The three strategies we have listed here are far from the only things you can do to support your recovery. Indeed, our blog is filled with ideas and suggestions for taking action that will keep you headed in the right direction. Here are links to another three: having a hobby, keeping a journal, and practicing mindfulness.
A Shift in Perspective: Now You are Playing in the Band
We have been comparing your recovery experiences to your favorite song, but now we want to shift the metaphor just a bit.
Imagine that you are in a band (you can pick what instrument you want to play), and let’s say that the band knows enough songs to entertain your fans for an hour. Over the course of that hour, your band will likely play songs in a variety of different styles—and that means you have to adapt each time a new song starts so that you contribute to the music in a positive way.
You have to be adaptable in recovery, too. Different situations may require different approaches to ensure that you stay strong in recovery. That might look like attending an extra meeting when you’re struggling. It might me cutting ties with a person who encourages you to return to drug or alcohol use. It might mean being a supportive listener for someone else who might be facing temptation in recovery. With some practice and flexibility, you can make good “music” no matter the style.
We Are Ready to Help You Sing a New Song
At Bel Aire Recovery Center, located near Wichita, Kansas, we help individuals put drug or alcohol use behind them so that they can reclaim their lives and rebuild hope for the future. We also treat mental health disorders that may be entangled with a substance use disorder because mental well-being and lasting recovery go hand in hand.
Whether an inpatient, outpatient, or virtual approach to treatment is right for your specific situation and needs, you can count on the Bel Aire staff to provide excellent and empathetic care. When you are ready to make a change for the better, we are ready to help.
