5 Coping Strategies for Addiction Recovery

Recovering from addiction can feel lonely and, at times, downright exhausting. It becomes overwhelming, especially when no one seems to understand the pressure and struggle in your head.

At moments like these, all you hear from those around you are words of encouragement, which, in fact, is a good thing and a way for them to show their support and involvement in your recovery.

However, what you’re really looking for, and perhaps why you’re reading this blog, are coping strategies that can guide you through this phase of your life and help you prevent relapse easily.

Well, you’re in luck because this blog is packed with practical and empowering approaches to support your addiction recovery and help you achieve sobriety.

Build New Habits

Our habits are what define our lives, and breaking free from addiction involves not only letting go of destructive habits but also cultivating new, positive ones. This may require you to stay away from some friends, prevent certain content on social media, and develop new routines.

Whatever way you choose to go about it, building new habits as a coping strategy is one of the most effective ways to overcome addiction.

Start with small, manageable changes that align with your recovery goals, and surround yourself with positive routines that will keep you busy and far away from anything that can push you into relapse.

Also, consider incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine to help relieve stress. Addictions are mostly triggered by stress and leveraging mindful breathing and meditation can help you handle your mood whenever you feel pressured or stressed.

Have a Support System

Recovery can be a lonely road if you try to walk it alone. It’s not a coping strategy, no matter how you convince yourself that it is.

We all need someone to confide in, and that’s why you have to surround yourself with people who understand your struggles and are committed to supporting your recovery. This could include registering for rehab, joining a support group, and leaning on your friends and family for moral support.

If you’re a busy professional with a demanding schedule that makes attending traditional support groups challenging, consider alternative options that align with your lifestyle. A good suggestion would be to explore intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).

These programs offer more flexibility and provide a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment while allowing you to maintain your work and personal commitments.

If you’re staying in Washington, DC, and need recommendations, then you should check out The Verve Behavioral Health IOP, a renowned mental health and addiction treatment facility. Otherwise, you can research IOPs in your area and get the help you need.

Avoid Triggers

An important coping strategy for preventing relapse is knowing what triggers you and learning how to avoid them. A trigger could be anything from emotions, situations, people, or even content on social media.

What makes a trigger dangerous is that it can trick you back into your addiction and make all the efforts you’ve made so far a waste. To put this into perspective, world-renowned author Charles Duhigg illustrates in his book ‘The Power of Habit’ that we humans have a habit loop that controls our habits and addictions.

According to Duhigg, our habit loop follows the pattern of a CUE, ROUTINE, and REWARD. Meaning, when you’re exposed to a cue (your trigger), you end up performing a routine (your addiction) to get a reward (satisfaction from your addiction), which encourages you to repeat the habit.

So, to prevent relapse, you have to eliminate every cue or trigger that can tempt you. This includes friends that you know are addicts and a bad influence, items in your home that can trigger you, or simply avoiding situations that can cause all the damage.

Exercise Frequently

Lack of physical activity is what causes depression and stress. Engaging in regular exercise not only benefits your fitness but also has profound effects on your mental and emotional state.

In fact, there’s no way you can easily slip into depression when you work out often because exercise releases endorphins, your body’s natural mood lifters, which can help you combat feelings of anxiety and depression.

Not just that, exercise also boosts your mental health, improves your sleep patterns, boosts your self-esteem, and eases your stress and tension.

This is why you need to find an exercise routine you enjoy, whether it’s walking, running, cycling, swimming, or participating in a group fitness class. This will serve as an effective coping strategy to control your mood and help you enjoy your sleep.

Volunteer to Help Others

Explore opportunities to volunteer in your community or within organizations that align with your interests.

Whether supporting a local charity, participating in community events, or helping individuals facing similar challenges, volunteering can make all the difference in your recovery process, as it distracts you from negative thoughts and shows you all the good you’re bringing to society.

You may not know it yet, but engaging in meaningful activities outside of your own struggles can shift your perspective and remind you of how important you are to those around you, which is very important in your recovery.

Moreover, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with a supportive network of like-minded individuals like you who have gone through the struggles you have and fought through them all. They will serve as a support system and provide you with a sense of camaraderie and encouragement.

Wrapping up

It doesn’t matter what addiction you’re recovering from (alcohol or drugs); it’s all in the past now and can’t define your present or future; only your decisions from now can. Use these strategies to cope while you recover, and I wish you all the best on your recovery journey.