Decision Making and Long-Term Recovery

When an individual completes treatment is when they begin to apply all they learned during rehab. During this time, it’s common to feel the commitment to remain sober is being tested.

Throughout day-to-day activities, people in recovery may find themselves confronted with situations or people, that in the past, would have led them to use.

A good plan will prepare individuals new to recovery for the challenges ahead.

Tips for Making Effective Decisions

Acknowledge that Challenges Will Arise

According to HelpGuide.org, the negative feelings and challenges once avoided with substance use will resurface during sobriety. Acknowledging that these obstacles will undoubtedly arise helps.

Likewise, being okay with the feelings that may arise when confronted with a challenge, as well as the feelings of not knowing what to do, can help accept challenges as part of the natural course toward success.

Make a Decision Map

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) suggests making a decision map. A decision map will help handle obstacles by providing guidance in advance.

By writing down common stressors and how to handle that stress in a healthy way, it eliminates them as obstacles.

Conduct Regular Progress Checks

Have a list of strategies. Include strategies such as talking and planning with a counselor and creating benchmarks like “do relaxation exercises three times per week” to gauge progress.

Checking in with a counselor, and trusted individuals regularly, will help people new to recovery achieve their goals and receive advice on course-correction when necessary.

Maintain a Supportive Network

Recruit a therapist, friends, and family to make themselves available for contact when experiencing exceptional trouble with a situation.

A supportive network can listen when there is a need to talk, receive guidance, and provide the security of knowing they’re not alone.

As an important part of the process, a support system will aid in overcoming obstacles.

Share Successes and Trials

Never hesitate to contact a therapist or a professional addictions counselor for help and guidance along the way. Continuous support helps throughout recovery. After completion of rehab, ongoing support is vital to continued success.

Now that goals have been set, benchmarks have been created to measure progress, and made important decisions about how to live life, it’s vital to have support in place to help achieve them all.

Anyone in recovery should be proud of their accomplishments. Having a plan in place will allow individuals to enjoy long-term recovery.