Adapting to Life After Addiction

Change often begins with medication-assisted recovery. However, recovery is a process, and life after addiction requires some attention and care. Deciding how you want to lead your life in recovery will help you create new habits that support your physical and mental health, improve your outlook on life, and enjoy each day to the fullest.

Adjusting to Everyday Life After Addiction

For a person who has started medication-assisted recovery, adjusting to life after treatment is important for a few reasons:

• Their body may have been affected by substance misuse, and a focus on physical health may be needed.
• Healthy new habits may be needed to stay in recovery.
• Previous habits and social groups may no longer be beneficial.
• A person may want to start over with a new career or set of life goals.

Everyday life in recovery is also different. The amount of time you have spent on substance misuse will need to be filled with new activities. As recovery continues, you’ll start to feel better and may have more energy and interest in new activities. A person in recovery will also need to find time for therapy and other support systems.

Establishing a Routine Post-Addiction

A good way to embrace the recovery process is with healthy new routines. Here’s how you can establish a great routine based on your needs:

• Take it slow: Rather than trying to do everything right, take baby steps. It’s okay if you deviate from your routine or don’t get everything correct right away. Consider trying a few routines to see if one works best for you.
• Write it down: Consider what you want from a daily routine and write out a few options so you can compare them. Picture an ideal day in your life as it exists now. What would it look like? How would you spend your time? Add those parts to your routine.
• Keep it structured: It may be easiest for you to stick with a healthy routine if it’s structured. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, and take your meals around the same time.
• Set a few small goals: Small, reachable goals give you something to focus on, and achieving your goals can help build confidence. Whether it’s working out three days a week or joining a class, one to three small goals can fill your days with activities, which can replace unhealthy behaviors. Try to stick with only three small goals at a time to keep your routine manageable.

Where Change Begins

If you’re living with opioid use disorder and are looking to start over, BAART Programs understands the importance of evidence-based treatment. Our outpatient facilities have teams of caring and experienced medical providers and nursing staff, and we also offer substance use counseling. Learn more about the programs available with BAART, or contact a local facility today.