How To Plan For Long-Term Addiction Recovery Success

With too many tales of relapse in Arizona, there are many practices to help with long-term addiction recovery from outpatient drug rehab to sober living homes…

Arizona ranks second in the nation for drug overdose deaths with more than 20 deaths per 100,000 people in any given month. Arizona legislators are trying to pass a bill that legally requires doctors to use the “Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program” established in Arizona in 2007. This program was established to prevent doctor shopping and over-prescribing. The number of drug related overdoses and deaths only continues to increase as new drugs are introduced throughout the country.

Many drug overdoses lead people to seek treatment for drug addiction. Drug addiction rehab facilities, not only in Arizona, but throughout the country, teach clients about their disease and the recovery process. Clients learn healthy coping skills to manage cravings, teach impulse control techniques and assist people in learning their relapse triggers and cues to prevent a return to active drug addiction.

It is almost always recommended that people who complete treatment, transition to an outpatient drug rehab program and reside in a sober living home to help support success in long-term addiction recovery.

It is imperative to have a plan in place for how you will live in recovery. The following are a few tips to help you remain free from drug addiction and live a life of sobriety.

• Attend a 12-step program a minimum of 3 times per week.
• Get a sponsor and call daily to build a relationship with him/her. Once that connection is established, people are more likely to call and ask for help when struggling with thoughts of active drug addiction.
• Eat 3 meals a day. It may sound silly, but those in active drug addiction tend to not practice self-care and need to be reminded that basic life skills need to be implemented again to promote addiction recovery.
• Exercise at least 3 times per week. Addiction recovery involves the mind, body and spirit. Exercise can play a large role in recovery by reducing compulsive behaviors.
• Implement structure in your day. Work, volunteer or consider returning to school.

It may feel overwhelming to commit to living in a sober living home and participating in an outpatient drug rehab program. Remember that the goal is to remain free from drug addiction one day at a time. Don’t focus on not using drugs for the rest of your life, but work on staying in the present moment which can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. For more information on sober living homes in Scottsdale, AZ, please contact Sobriety Experience at 480-744-0095.