Bad Habits to Avoid in Recovery

The addiction recovery journey is multidimensional and involves making positive changes in day-to-day life that will help create a positive and healthy future. Everyone’s road to long-term recovery is paved differently, but many people will face similar challenges, especially when bad habits creep in unsuspectingly, causing potential roadblocks. Identifying unhealthy habits can be tricky, particularly if they initially seem harmless, but staying aware of known problematic patterns can keep progress on track.

Seeking out Co-Dependent Relationships

Many people who have struggled with addiction have found themselves in co-dependent relationships, whether romantic or familial. This relationship dynamic is unbalanced and can cause triggering stress for everyone involved, but it can form unwittingly if a person is conditioned to the cycle. Speaking with a substance use counselor about previous toxic relationships and becoming aware of the signs is the first step towards learning to avoid them and stop seeking them out as the dependent or the co-dependent.

Picking up “Replacement Addictions”

Although the concept of an “addictive personality” has been widely debunked, people in recovery are still working on developing healthier coping mechanisms as they heal. Still, it’s very easy to pick up smoking nicotine or drinking excessive amounts of caffeine, both of which are addictive substances that provide slight psychoactive effects. Although these habits are socially acceptable and widely normalized in society, they perpetuate “dependent” behaviors similar to substance misuse. Although they are certainly seen as a “lesser evil” in the recovery world, it’s important to be mindful of falling into patterns that can potentially lead to relapse.

Self-isolating from the Outside World

People in recovery work hard to understand their relapse triggers and how to handle them appropriately, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. Frankly, sometimes battling unsuspecting triggers that can lurk around can feel exhausting, so it becomes very tempting to shield oneself by simply staying home. However, this habit can have profoundly adverse effects on progress and potentially become a destructive coping mechanism. It’s essential for those in recovery to stay committed to their therapy and attend group counseling where they can connect with other people and their personal lives as they seek to find balance.

Oversleeping and Poor Sleep Hygiene

In early treatment, patients are often still adjusting to their medication and catching up on much-needed rest, so sleep is encouraged. However, sleeping for too long or during odd hours of the day can quickly become a routine that’s difficult to break. Habitually sleeping through the day and staying up all night can interrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, making it difficult to maintain a job, attend treatment, and participate in daytime activities. It can also lead to reclusive behaviors and stalled recovery progress due to living a nocturnal lifestyle. Maintaining a routine sleep schedule is vital to developing self-discipline and a regimented schedule that is conducive to a healthy life.

BAART is committed to providing effective, evidence-based addiction treatment using FDA-approved medications in a flexible outpatient setting. Specialized and compassionate medical staff are ready to answer any questions about the available substance use disorder treatment programs, so message or call a local clinic today.