As you work through addiction recovery, you may find that your confidence and strength builds as you continue to make smart decisions about your relationships, work, routines, and other aspects of life. But one thing that complicates those decisions is stress. The more you learn to anticipate stressful situations, the more able you will be to intervene before you get overwhelmed.
Driving on a busy highway and getting cut off is a minor stressor, something that is annoying but also something you can deal with. Getting into an argument with your teen could be a minor stressor, but it could become a much bigger problem if it continues to occur. Consider some common high stressors and how they may impact your addiction recovery.
These are some of the most common major stressors that you could face during drug and alcohol addiction treatment and recovery. The question is, then, how do you manage them?
Strategies That Work to Deal with Stress in Addiction Recovery
It’s time to face those stressors. Instead of pushing them to the side and just getting through it, consider these strategies to help you effectively cope during stressful times and build confidence around your future.
Know When to Leave
Sometimes you just have to leave the situation and never look back. Bad relationships or a very toxic work environment may require this. When you try to fix things and it only gets worse, it may be acceptable to simply remove yourself from the situation. You don’t need permission to do so.
Recognize the Reality
Stress can sometimes build up in our minds to a level that is no longer realistic. If you are facing a difficult situation, step back and ask yourself a few questions.
Sometimes you’ll learn there’s nothing you can do–that the situation is not likely to change and therefore you need to accept it and move on. Made a mistake at work that is too late to fix? Apologize as needed but then forgive yourself and move forward. Been rejected by a friend or family member? If you’ve done what you can to repair the relationship and the other person is still angry with you, turn it over to your higher power and let it go.
Practice Self-Care
No matter what type of stress is occurring, you have the ability to take care of yourself through it. Some things to consider include:
If you are feeling so much stress that you’re at risk for relapse, don’t wait to get help from your mentor or therapist. Go to a meeting now. Doing this is also empowering because it allows you to remain in control over the way you react to that stress.
Our team at Victory Addiction Recovery Center can help you through this process. If you’re facing complications to your health, learn more about our drug and alcohol treatment center in Lafayette, LA.