It seems like a basic concept. When you’re in addiction recovery, you should stay away from drugs and alcohol. But, as many people in recovery can attest to, this can quickly become complex when your triggers creep up and surprise you when you’re unprepared. This is when you may wonder, “Is there sober living near me?”
No matter what the people in your support system think, staying sober is not just a matter of willpower. Addiction is a chronic disease, and most people who complete formal treatment will experience at least one relapse. Careful planning can reduce the risk of relapsing, though. If you’re looking for sober living homes in Massachusetts, contact Rockland Recovery today. Call 855.732.4842 or reach out to our team online for more information about our sober living homes.
What Is a Sober Living Home?
A sober living home is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a place where living sober is not only encouraged but strictly enforced in the form of rules and regulations that all residents need to follow. Residing in one is often a transitional period between an inpatient addiction treatment program and the real world. Sometimes, clients leaving an inpatient facility may struggle with adjusting back to daily life. A sober living home can reinforce the lessons they learned in rehab while offering a little more freedom.
How Do You Maintain Sober Living While in Addiction Recovery?
There’s more to sober living in America than simply avoiding addictive substances and going to support group meetings. In fact, for most people in recovery, staying sober isn’t that straightforward.
Some tips for managing a sober life and preventing relapse include:
- Identify personal triggers – A significant part of preventing relapse is understanding the external and internal triggers that lead to it. It’s easier to avoid them when you can recognize and understand triggers.
- Recognize relapse warning signs – A relapse usually begins long before you take a drink or a dose of a drug. Learn to recognize the signs of the first two phases of emotional and mental relapse before you reach the point of physical relapse.
- Prepare for post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) – Some people experience withdrawal symptoms that persist past the detox period. Such symptoms can be uncomfortable and can distract from maintaining a sober life if not completely understood.
- Avoid old habits and routines – If you overcome your addiction but continue with your same habits and routines, it will be much easier to slip back into your old addictive behaviors.
- Build healthy relationships – As you continue to heal, you may discover that some of your previous relationships were not only unhealthy but toxic. Research shows that if you maintain toxic relationships, your chances of relapsing are increased.
- Develop a structured schedule – Having a chaotic lifestyle can hinder your recovery. It’s important to develop a daily and weekly schedule and stick to it because doing this will help you achieve other goals in your life.
- Practice healthy living – Addiction can take a significant toll on your health. Now that you’re in addiction recovery, you should prioritize self-care and ensure you have the fortitude to maintain your sobriety.
- Stay calm and cool under pressure – Many people in recovery have trouble dealing with anger. If left unchecked, anger can harm your health and your sobriety. Anger is a natural emotion, but how you deal with it will make a difference in maintaining your recovery.
- Deal with past mistakes – Feeling guilty or shameful for past behavior or actions during active addiction is natural and healthy. However, when in recovery, shame and guilt can lead to relapsing.
- Celebrate milestones – If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you already know the importance of milestones. In these programs, it’s customary to award plastic chips as you progress to the year-mark, at which time you receive a bronze coin. Acknowledging and celebrating the hard work of recovery helps keep you motivated.
Maintain Sobriety in Rockland Recovery’s Sober Living Homes
Rockland Recovery’s sober living homes in Massachusetts provide a safe space to abstain from drug and alcohol use. Contact us today by calling 855.732.4842 or reaching out to our team online for more information about sober living.
