One of the biggest challenges that recovering addicts face after completing a NJ drug rehabilitation program is dealing with their internal triggers. In particular, feelings of anxiety are strong motivators in leading an addict to relapse unless they know how to cope with those feelings. Fortunately, a primary goal of any rehab program is to teach the addict healthier ways of coping with both internal and external triggers. While it’s difficult to control feelings of anxiety, learning healthier ways of coping with them when they do emerge makes a big difference. This is why teaching relaxation and stress reduction techniques has become an integral part of many rehab treatment programs. During an addiction recovery program, addicts learn the correct methods for practicing relaxation techniques to ensure they can perform these activities anytime they feel the need to alleviate anxiety. The time they spend practicing while in rehab will ensure they’re skilled at doing them outside of the facility as well.
Reducing stress and anxiety becomes simpler once you realize that all you really have to do is to engage in an activity that you enjoy or find relaxing. This can involve practicing yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Some recovering addicts find that it’s also helpful to listen to uplifting music or to light an aromatherapy candle. If you experience anxiety in a public setting, such as at work, you can even adapt these practices to be done in just a few minutes. You can excuse yourself to a bathroom, closet, or your car to relax and focus your thoughts. You’ll return to the situation feeling refreshed and centered. The biggest challenge for a recovering addict is remembering to engage in a relaxation technique during a stressful situation. Experiencing anxiety often comes when a recovering addict is in the middle of a stressful situation, so pausing to meditate or practice yoga can seem inconvenient. It will take a conscious effort to do what’s better for your overall health, but, once you do, you’ll be relieved that you didn’t take the easier solution.
Learning Greater Mental Focus is Essential
While in a drug rehabilitation program, recovering addicts will learn that their own thoughts can be self-defeating and that it’s important to gain a healthier perspective. For example, the thought of having to find a job after leaving rehab can be a frightening prospect for many recovering addicts. In addition to the anxiety that comes with having to deal with their past addiction problems, they also worry about getting the right training and skills to do the types of jobs that interest them. All of these concerns create an overwhelming sense of anxiety for a recovering addict unless they put those thoughts in perspective. Instead of worrying about going back to school or participating in a training program, they should focus on the opportunities to meet new people and pursue a new career path. Recovering addicts must learn to look towards a brighter future instead of worrying how past mistakes will negatively impact future choices.
Rehab is also an opportunity to learn coping skills that involve solving problems logically and rationally. In most cases, acting on one’s emotions is what leads to a substance abuse problem, and that’s why addicts in recovery must learn new ways to address problems. While in a drug rehabilitation program, addicts will learn how they made poor choices in the past. By analyzing those past situations, they can learn different ways of solving their problems. They will be taught logical problem solving skills that will help them adapt to new situations without giving into the feelings of anxiety that can lead to relapses. Before they leave rehab, recovering addicts will know how to think rationally in any situation. While this doesn’t mean they won’t feel strong emotions, they will know how to think through those feelings and make wiser decisions. In some situations, this may involve making a difficult decision, such as ending a relationship or quitting a job, but the individual will be mentally prepared to do what they believe is right. This helps them avoid making a poor decision that could undo all of the work they accomplished in creating a sober life.
There are many more coping skills that you can learn in rehab when you call our counselors at 833-610-1174. We’re available seven days a week, 24 hours a day to answer any questions you have about recovery. By making this call, you’ll be taking the first step in living a clean and healthy life.