Sometimes, it feels like the whole world is falling apart all around us. There are problems on the international stage, on the national level, and even in our states, counties, and towns. Many times, it is hard to make sense of everything that is going on.
In addition to all of these big and consequential events and clashes, each of us also faces the stress and challenges of our everyday lives. For example, you might be in the midst of a conflict with a coworker—or even with your boss. You might be caring for a young child or an aging parent. You could be dealing with a serious illness or facing financial difficulties. Maybe your car is in the shop for an expensive repair or you are struggling to repair a relationship. Likely as not, you are facing a combination of stressors rather than one difficult thing at a time—and that combination can feel absolutely overwhelming.
Most everyone faces these kinds of things, and it can prove difficult to manage. For a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, however, this sense of being overwhelmed by the world and your specific part of it can put you at risk of a relapse—undoing all the hard work you have done to start and maintain your recovery over time.
That, of course, is not an outcome you are eager to experience, and so you need some strategies for dealing with serious stressors when (notice we did not say “if”) they arise. A key pillar of those strategies can be found in the form of your recovery community.
Lean Into Your Recovery Community
If you are struggling with a heavy load of stress, we recommend you go to a recovery program meeting.
We know it can seem like a recovery cliché—the kind of thing you see in every television show or movie that features a character in recovery. But the fact is that 12-Step and other recovery programs offer a first line of defense when stress or anxiety seem to be piling up with no relief in sight.
That is largely because the people in your recovery group know what you have been through—and what you are going through right now. In fact, other people in recovery from a substance use disorder are often the very best people to turn to for support in difficult times. They know what is at stake, want you to maintain your recovery, and know that you would support them if the roles were reversed.
Rely on Your Supportive Friends and Family
We hope and trust there are people in your life who are always rooting for you in recovery. These are the friends and family members who will always take your phone call—day or night—and are always up for a conversation. That conversation might be about the challenges you are dealing with, or it might be about anything but those challenges. Either way, having someone to talk to can make a big difference when it comes to dealing with the kinds of stressors that can tempt you to return to drug or alcohol use.
These are also the folks who will be happy to hang out with you in environments that are free from drugs or alcohol. That can be so important when you might be struggling. Turning to these good friends and close family members can make a real difference when everything seems overwhelming.
Take Your Troubles to Therapy
Often, a substance use disorder is entangled with a mental health disorder—and that makes ongoing therapy a good idea in recovery. A therapist can help you in stressful situations, too, as you talk through your thoughts and emotions—and how you might effectively address them in healthy ways.
Whether you are experiencing the symptoms of one of the various kinds of depression, are struggling with feelings of anxiety or panic, or are having difficulty with a disorder grounded in trauma, a therapist can help you work through the challenges so that you can improve your mental health and protect your recovery.
Count on Your Recovery Center’s Aftercare Program
If you pursued treatment for a substance use disorder at a fully accredited recovery center like Wooded Glen Recovery Center, you can likely take advantage of a robust aftercare program designed to provide ongoing resources and support. At Wooded Glen, we host a variety of programs and events for our alumni—all in service of supporting your ongoing recovery.
Let Us Help You Get Your Recovery Underway
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we help individuals who are struggling with drugs or alcohol reclaim their life and their hope for the future. Via medically supervised detoxification, a rehabilitation program centered on group and individual therapy (including treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, and our alumni aftercare programming, we work to ensure you can start—and maintain—your recovery with confidence.
We are ready to be part of the community that supports you as you build a new and better life for yourself. When you are ready to get started, we are here to help.