There are many temptations commonly found in addiction recovery; temptations that tend to lead to potential relapse or impede treatment plants. NorthStar Transitions wants you to understand some of the top 5 temptations found in recovery and learn how you can resist those temptations in early recovery or after leaving treatment.
In addiction recovery, one of the first things to deal with is temptation. When you learn how to manage temptation or resist it, you can maintain your sober commitment and live a life filled with freedom. Temptation is not unique, but is an issue for almost every human in the world.
Temptation manifests in different ways, such as gambling, substance use, desires, or self-gain. Everyone struggles with temptation at some point; however, the critical thing to remember is that when you understand temptation, you can identify it before it leads to adverse outcomes. You will likely experience temptation throughout and after treatment as you adjust your lifestyle choices and thought processes.
Struggling with temptation—especially in recovery—is normal. Your brain must relearn many things in addiction recovery, including how to manage temptations so you do not end up back where you started. Temptation and cravings go hand in hand, often brought on by triggers and, if not properly seen to, can lead to relapse. Though having temptations is normal, you should not give in to them or you risk falling back into bad habits.
You may be wondering what temptations are usually found in the recovery journey, in case you are nervous about fighting them on your own. First and foremost, know that you are not alone in the growing concern about temptation. Being informed about what to expect can better prepare you for potential onsets of temptations others have struggled with in recovery.
Anxiety and stress: 60% of individuals in America struggle with stress and anxiousness. Anxiety and stress are by far some of the strongest temptations in recovery. You are undergoing a path that includes rearranging your thoughts, behaviors, and actions, and you will feel anxious at times. These feelings may be similar to ones that used to lead you to use, so you must learn how to cope with these things through healthy means before they become problematic.
Nutrition: 55% of individuals in America struggle with nutrition temptation. In addiction recovery, you are given a treatment plan that may include a new nutritional program. This is to bring nutrients back to your body that may be missing or imbalanced due to substance use. If you are used to giving in to the temptation of eating junk food or low-nutritional meals, you may not be used to healthier foods or may not like the nutritional choices. Adding good nutrition into your routine can speed up the healing process in recovery and project you into a healthier lifestyle free from substances.
Time management: 40% of individuals in America are tempted with slothfulness or quickness. Many individuals are impulsive and give in to their whims, while some are tempted to become lazy. While neither is inherently bad, they can become problematic in recovery. Impulsiveness can lead you down destructive paths if your impulses guide you back to harmful choices. Laziness can cause you to neglect your recovery. One way to manage this temptation is to keep yourself occupied and to reach out to your support system when you feel swayed either by your impulses or your laziness.
Procrastination: Over 60% of individuals struggle with procrastinating and are tempted to push off commitments. Procrastination can lead to letting go of commitments entirely, like the commitment to attend support groups or stay sober. If you do not keep up with the things that help you maintain sobriety, a relapse could be around the corner.
Access to previous lifestyle habits: Many individuals struggle with recovery because they have not properly detoxed their environment. It is tempting to keep around people, places, and things that you associate with your previous life of addiction. Unfortunately, these things can be temptations and triggers that lead you to reengage with harmful substances or habits. Access to social media may cause you to see people using or send you into a spiral of comparison and depression. Having access to substances or paraphernalia could make you reminisce about days when you were caught in addiction. No matter the circumstance, you must detox your environment to get rid of temptations.
All temptations are real, and most of them are normal in your addiction recovery path. Fortunately, the temptations on this list are easily managed in addiction recovery centers. Understand what temptations you may come up against, and get support around you to help you avoid those temptations. Once you learn to live a new lifestyle free from temptation, you can be happier and find inner peace.
If you want to live a life free from temptation, let the professionals at an addiction recovery center help you navigate and manage potential temptations. At NorthStar Transitions, we are here to prepare you for and help you through any temptation you may come across. Regardless of whether your temptation is emotional or physical, we are here to help you address them so you do not have to struggle alone or let them wreak havoc on your life. We want to help you handle every element of your life to find purpose and meaning with the happiness you deserve. NorthStar Transitions believes you can overcome addiction and identify temptation before it even comes around. If you struggle with substance use or fall prey to temptation in your life, reach out to us today for help. We are here to support you and help keep you focused on a healthier lifestyle. Call (303) 558-6400.
