Overcoming Obstacles in Recovery

by Restorations Therapy Center on Wednesday, February 10th, 2021

Recovery is a journey full of ups and downs, no matter who you are. Everyone’s experience is different, but there will be days when you can better cope with your struggles. When you come face to face with an obstacle, you have two choices. You can succumb to it and get off track from healing, or you can choose to overcome it and keep going. Recognizing obstacles and knowing how to overcome them will help you avoid potential relapse down the line.

Potential Obstacles

You cannot expect to overcome obstacles if you are unsure of what they look like. While these can vary from person to person, potential relapse triggers can occur for anyone. Knowing how to spot them can help you be prepared for their presence or avoid them. Here are common relapse triggers that people often face in recovery:

• Overconfidence in recovery
• Past people/places that remind you of addiction
• Stress
• Peer Pressure
• Holidays and other celebratory events
• Complex emotions
• Fatigue
• Old habits

How to Overcome Obstacles

Once you know what to look out for in your recovery that could slow you down, you need to learn coping mechanisms to overcome these obstacles. Consider these tips the next time you run into a bump in your recovery journey:

• HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired): If you are considering giving up or using, see if any of these emotions fit for you and take care of them through coping methods.
• Grounding: Using grounding techniques can help you focus more and alleviate thoughts of using alcohol or drugs. Consider the 5-4-3-2-1 method to start.
• Self-care: Sometimes, you may be neglecting your own needs without realizing it. Make a schedule and make sure you are sleeping enough, eating right, and exercising.
• Meditation: Meditating can help you clear your mind and become more aware of your body, helping you realize its needs and acknowledge what you are feeling.
• Go to a Support Group: Occasionally, you might need to reach out to others for help, and that’s okay! Going to a support group will give you a safe place to discuss your feelings with others that know what you are going through.

Recovery is not all sunshine and rainbows. There will be days when you aren’t sure if you can continue moving forward. When this happens, make sure you are aware of any potential relapse triggers that serve as obstacles in your recovery. Know what coping mechanisms work for you and use them. If you still need help, reach out to others or a professional treatment facility such as Restorations Therapy. You can get back on track in recovery with our team without skipping a beat. Call us today at (720) 446-6585 to find out more.