7 Common Challenges People Face in Addiction Recovery
Completing a drug and alcohol rehab program and re-entering society as a sober individual come with its addiction recovery challenges. Maybe your loved one is in rehab, and you want to understand their struggles in recovery. Or perhaps you’re considering enrolling in a rehab program yourself, but your fears are holding you back.
Understanding some of the common challenges in recovery from addiction may provide clearer insight into long-term addiction recovery. Here are some common personal issues you may face while completing a rehab program and how you can address them.
1. Developing New Coping Strategies
Getting sober isn’t just about not using drugs and alcohol anymore. It’s also about establishing a new lifestyle that supports recovery and prevents relapse. A major part of this process is developing new coping strategies to manage stress and deal with anxiety and cravings. In rehab, as you learn to develop these coping strategies, you are establishing a new sense of normalcy. This is both challenging and time-consuming, but well worth the effort. Counselors and therapists will work with you daily to identify harmful behaviors and learn how to modify them so you can thrive in sobriety.
2. Addressing Trauma and Shame Without Drugs and Alcohol
Many recovering addicts use drugs and alcohol as a crutch to deal with trauma and shame. During drug rehab, people in recovery are challenged to deal with trauma and shame without the aid of these addictive substances. This can be one of the most difficult addiction recovery challenges. It requires a lot of effort, time, and bravery to confront these issues head-on and address the deep-seated issues that have contributed to addiction. In working with counselors and therapists in rehab, you’ll have many opportunities to do this and, as a result, experience rewarding personal growth.
3. Building New Relationships and Repairing Old Ones
According to SAMHSA, having relationships and social networks that provide love, support, friendship, and hope is an essential part of a life in recovery. In rehab, you’ll be challenged to build new relationships with your peers in recovery. You learn how to communicate healthily, trust others, and be vulnerable. While working through recovery, you’ll also be asked to make amends with loved ones you hurt while actively abusing drugs and alcohol. The amendment process can take weeks, months, or years, and it’s never easy. However, it plays an important role in freeing you from your old life of addiction and embracing long-term recovery.
4. Boredom
During your treatment program, you’ll likely follow a structured daily schedule of support group meetings, exercise, meals, personal reflection, and leisure time. After you complete rehab and return home, you may find yourself dealing with boredom. This is one of the most common addiction recovery challenges and can be a big threat to your sobriety. Previously, all your free time was most likely spent using drugs and alcohol. Now, without those substances in your life, you’ll need to learn how to use your time in other ways. These activities may include meditating, reading, playing sports, working, or taking up a new hobby. Enrolling in a sober living program after completing your rehab program can provide a structure that helps you create a new lifestyle in recovery. It can help fill your free time with group activities, volunteer work, job hunting, and other essential life activities.
5. Relapse
Relapse prevention is one of the biggest challenges in recovery from addiction many people face both during and after rehab. Cravings, stress, anxiety, and old acquaintances can all be potential threats when you’re trying to stay sober. Fortunately, rehab is designed to help you with this. It helps establish life skills, modify unhealthy behaviors, and develop a peer support system that will keep you firmly rooted in your sobriety. Even if you do have a relapse during or after rehab, you’ll be able to lean on your support system of peers and mentors who will help you get back on track quickly. No one is perfect, and sometimes it just takes time. You won’t fail if you don’t give up!
6. Finding Your Purpose
After drug and alcohol rehab, many people find that they lack purpose in life. Adapting to a life that doesn’t revolve around drug and alcohol abuse can be one of the most difficult addiction recovery challenges. One way that rehab helps recovering addicts combat this issue is by introducing them to new hobbies and interests such as yoga, art, music, and meditation. These activities help clients find and develop new hobbies, interests, and social groups both during and after rehab.
7. Transitioning Out of Rehab and Back Home
Making the transition from a life of addiction into an independent life of sobriety after rehab isn’t easy for recovering addicts. After you leave the safety net of a rehab center, you’ll be awarded more personal freedoms. However, you’ll also need to manage more responsibilities at home, find a job, fulfill financial obligations, put your new coping strategies into action, and much more. For many people in recovery, this transition can be extremely challenging, and it may be tempting to give up and use again.
Overcoming Addiction Recovery Challenges: Your Path to Long-Term Sobriety
If you’re facing struggles in recovery and trying to adapt to your new sober life after rehab, enrolling in a transitional living program is a great way to continue your addiction treatment and maintain your sobriety. Sober living homes provide structure, accountability, peer support, employment and education assistance, and a sense of camaraderie to help you maintain your sobriety and flourish in your new lifestyle.
Additional Support Strategies for Families
Educate Yourself
As a family member, educating yourself about addiction and the recovery process is crucial. Understanding the challenges your loved one faces can help you provide better support and empathy. Attend family therapy sessions and support groups designed for families of addicts to gain insights and coping strategies.
Create a Supportive Environment
Ensure that the home environment is supportive of your loved one’s recovery. This might involve removing any triggers or substances from the home, setting clear boundaries, and maintaining open communication. Encourage healthy habits and activities that promote sobriety.
Encourage Continued Treatment
Recovery is a long-term process, and continued treatment is often necessary. Encourage your loved one to attend support groups, therapy sessions, and follow-up appointments. Be supportive of their ongoing commitment to sobriety and celebrate their milestones.
Be Patient and Compassionate
Recovery can be a slow and challenging journey. Be patient and compassionate with your loved one as they navigate their path to sobriety. Recognize that there will be ups and downs and that setbacks are part of the process. Offer encouragement and avoid judgment or blame.
Take Care of Yourself
Supporting a loved one in recovery can be emotionally taxing. Ensure you are also taking care of your own physical and mental health. Seek support from friends, family, or professional counselors to help you cope with the stress and emotions involved in this journey.
Conclusion
Addiction recovery isn’t just a walk in the park. It comes with its difficulties, but having a thorough, experienced, and compassionate team of addiction treatment experts on your side makes all the difference in your recovery struggles. By understanding the common challenges in addiction recovery and implementing effective strategies to address them, you can support your loved one on their journey to long-term sobriety and build a healthier, happier future together.