” Progress is impossible without deviation from the norm.”
Frank Zappa is a U.S. composer and guitarist
Now we live in a seemingly unplanned world.
Globally, government can make decisions and put in place guidelines, laws, and apps to track the movements of their citizens and give them digital warnings when their health is compromised. They can also advise no physical contact with humans. For now, is what you are trying to say.
But without a vaccination – that is the big proviso – there’s no plan for the world. This is the reality of living in an age of coronavirus.
The vast majority of people on the planet will have said the exact same thing as you… “Oh please. There’s enough to do. “Now I have to deal also with this?”
People all over the world are still going through the same things they used to – without drinking, without dancing, without smoking weed laced with who knows what or without taking the next tablet of prescription medication because it not only eases the physical pain, but also the psychological pain.
Addiction of any type is difficult enough to overcome. Now, it’s probably even harder. You need a strategy that works, just like the rest of the world. There is no vaccine that can protect you or me.
I am a recovering alcoholic and cocaine addict. Since 2006, I have not relapsed on any substance or substance. I’ve created a relapse-prevention plan in conjunction with my Phoenix rehab. It is not perfect, but for me it works. It has been fine-tuned over the past six and a half years to include all of the elements that make up a successful relapse prevention plan.
Here are your 3 Tips for Creating a Relapse Prevention Plan.
1. Make Your Triggers… your friends
It may seem strange, but please bear with me. If you’re a recovering alcoholic or addict, it is important to listen to friends when they warn us about danger. Just like real friends, you should get to know and understand them, and learn their quirks and oddities. You need to be able to recognize red flags when you are struggling during recovery.
We relapse when we fail to act swiftly and decisively as soon as a relapse trigger appears on the horizon. Relapse can be triggered by a craving, an emotion trigger, or even plain old guilt. Act quickly when those feelings arise, whether they are mental or physical.
- Call a supporter
- Brain activity is important
- Do something productive
- Exercise
- Online, you can talk to someone, such as a friend or family member
Any prevention plan must include a thorough understanding of the triggers that cause relapse. Keep your friends close , but your triggers for relapse closer.
2. Your Support Network
A strong and reliable network of support is also a vital part of any successful plan to prevent relapse. Your network should include family members, friends that understand your situation, AA or Na sponsors, and friends. You may also want to consider a qualified addictions specialist.
Help can also come from support groups such as NA, AA or other group-based support like members of sober club. Continue to maintain contact with the support groups you have found, even if it is online. There are many online support groups that have been created if none existed before. Contact us and join remotely.
3. Your “New Normal”, Sober & clean
It’s a blank canvas, which is great for aspiring artists. But it’s even better if you just finished an addiction treatment program or outpatient rehab. As long as you develop good habits and routines in your new sober lifestyle. It’s a new canvas. Fill it up with what you really need, and not what you want.
Remind yourself that 60% of yesterday’s work will be done today. Tomorrow. Unless we change, tomorrow will be the same as every other day. It’s true. Plain. We are creatures of habit. If you think about it, adding good habits and routines to a blank canvas will get you over 60% of the way there. It’s kind of. Recovery is all about work. Since they got sober, recovering addicts have “worked from home”, despite the coronavirus.
Here are some examples of “good routines and habits” to finish:
- Spend time only with friends and family who are sober and supportive
- Addictions can be overcome by engaging in recreational activities.
- Rearrange the daily routine to keep yourself busy and engaged
- Schedule time to do self help activities. Reading books, taking classes and learning mindfulness or yoga
Deviate from the norm… & Progress
As Mr. Zappa stated earlier, ” without deviation from the normal, progress is impossible.” We were active addicts and alcoholics. Our “norm” as such was fairly simple: use or drink like you did every day before, stay alive to continue using or drinking (or both like me). In fact, abstaining from the substances we choose is what keeps us alive.
Plans to prevent relapse are an important part of our progress. We have a plan to recover if we fall off track. Always. You’ll have a better chance at daily progress if you use the above subtitles as your plan. Make your triggers friends, your support system, and “new normal”. You are closer to the life you deserve with each day that you stay clean and sober. , just like everyone else.
