Recovering from addiction does not end when treatment does; you must learn to develop life skills to continue your progress once out of rehab. Many individuals may opt for sober living homes, outpatient programs, and other aftercare programs so they can smoothly transition back to daily life and learn vital skills along the way. Whether you are older in life or a young person still unsure of how to tackle the world, learning essential life skills can help you live your best sober life.
Addiction can be detrimental to a person’s financial situation, often ending up in job loss. However, it can also cause individuals to spend all of their money on drugs or alcohol, causing them to go into debt or end up homeless. When you are in recovery, you must take an inventory of what you have and what you owe. From there, you can begin learning necessary finance skills such as opening a bank account and learning how to both budget and save your money. Doing so will help you in the long run as you work to rebuild your life, including your financial situation. Consider going to a bank and asking if there is a financial advisor or introductory finance courses to help.
Getting back into the workforce as someone that is recovering from substance use can be intimidating. Even before you find a job, you may be stressing if someone will even hire you considering your history of drug use. However, do not let this deter you. There are many resources offered by treatment facilities, community centers, and more to help you acquire the skills needed to find an excellent job for your life in recovery. You will learn how to make a resume, dress and prepare for an interview, and how to use your network to your advantage. Remember that many facilities have connections with local businesses that hire individuals going through recovery. Ensure you consider your sobriety when finding a job, being sure to take on a job that is not high stress, or triggering for you.
When you are in recovery, you need to be in a safe, clean, and healthy environment to help you make progress. Many individuals opt to live in a sober living home or with friends or family that have their recovery in mind. Sober living homes are great options for those transitioning back into daily life because you are given more freedom and responsibility while surrounded by like-minded sober people. You can learn to take on chores and balance responsibilities while still maintaining your aftercare in recovery and building a sober support network with the individuals in the sober living home to lean on for support and sober fun.
Exercise and a healthy diet can do wonders for your recovery. They both boost your energy, motivation, mood, sleep quality, and more. You’ll find that most treatment facilities have daily exercise and nutritious meals as a part of their structured schedule. Continuing this healthy lifestyle after leaving rehab and moving on to sober living or your own home will help keep your recovery on track by keeping you healthy and motivated. After leaving treatment, you should also find healthy foods you enjoy eating so you can have fun trying new recipes. When it comes to exercise, it is best to try new activities to find whatever is most enjoyable for you. This way, exercise is not seen as a chore and can be fun. You should also find healthy foods you enjoy eating so you can have fun trying new recipes.
Recovery is not an individual process but rather a journey that needs external support as you venture through it. Any person recovering from substance use should create a sober network of individuals they can rely on and spend time within recovery. These people can hold you accountable as time goes on, give you advice on the bad days, and join you in fun sober activities. Working on expanding your social skills and building your sober network will help you find the motivation to continue your journey. You can meet people at support groups, aftercare programs, and sober activities you enjoy doing.
Self-care is critical to your recovery -- you are learning to love and care for yourself in this new life that you are building. When you are amid addiction, self-care often takes a backseat, so relearning this skill can take some time. However, seeing how basic self-care impacts your life, such as showering, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising, will motivate you to continue taking deliberate care of yourself.
There is no doubt about it; recovery can be challenging. Going through rehab and learning how to transition back into daily life can be an intimidating and often frustrating process. However, learning crucial life skills along the way can help make the transition easier. You should acquire essential life skills during this period, including learning basic finances, getting a good job, finding a safe place to live, engaging in a healthy lifestyle, building your community, and practicing self-care. Over time, you will see the profound effect that these skills have on your life, motivating you to continue learning and growing each day in recovery. At Northstar Transitions, we want to see you not only succeed in recovery but soar above your biggest goals. We can help you prepare for life after treatment by teaching you the various skills needed to lead a sober and happy life. Reach out to us today by calling (303) 558-6400.
