Category: Malaysia

Sober Living

Choosing To Go To Sober Living After Rehab

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States
Recovery Can Be Overwhelming Right Outside Of Rehab

Sober Living – By the time most people get out of rehab, they are ready to go home and sleep in the warmth and comfort of their own bed. They believe they have overcome their addiction to drugs or alcohol and are convinced they can stay clean for the rest of their lives. We say, “Not so fast!”

Although it may not seem like it, rehab is the easy part when it comes to maintaining sobriety. Of course, we recognize that in-patient treatment is no walk in the park. It is not easy. It is a very painful, challenging, and difficult process. Nevertheless, when you are in rehab, you are safely tucked away in an environment that keeps you in check. 

In treatment, you don’t have the stress and triggers of everyday living to worry about. All you have to do is focus on your recovery. You don’t have to worry about the daily responsibilities that come with work, raising a family, paying bills, and everything else that comes with being a human being.

Many people leave rehab feeling solid in their sobriety and ready to take on the world. Only to return home and find that they cannot manage everything that comes with being sober. This is quite common. For this very reason, sober living is often the right choice for people just leaving rehab.

What Is Sober Living?

Sober living houses are residential homes that have been designated as sober living facilities. There are a number of different types of sober living houses.

Some sober living houses are covered by insurance and associated with treatment facilities. They offer a very structured and formal setting that feels very much like a rehabilitation center. Other sober houses are privately owned and much more informal. They function as roommate kind of situation where several sober people live together and split the living expenses.

In sober living, you would have your own room, but share your living space, bathroom, and kitchen with other sober people. Many people think it’s fun and exciting to share a sober living house with other people who are walking the same path they are.

Why Choose A Sober Living Environment?

Most people choose to go to a sober living house right when they leave rehab and stay there while they complete Intensive Outpatient treatment or Aftercare. This allows them to acclimate to living outside of rehab while maintaining sobriety – without making the full leap back into their regular lives.

Some people find a sober house after they have been out of rehab for awhile because they find that living alone is just too difficult and they want to room with other people in recovery.

In sober living, you get to fellowship with other recovering people so you can get the support you need. This will help you stay clean and sober while working your program and getting used to life outside of rehab. This is the right choice for people who want to build a more solid foundation in their recovery. 

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Learn To Trust Yourself

Learn To Trust Yourself

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Learn To Trust Yourself – Addiction robs the person who is using of many things. The addict can often pay for addiction with his or her life at times. Most will lose their pride, time, conscious, emotions, and trust if the addiction does spare their lives. While life and time cannot be regained, time, pride, and control over emotions can be with practice. When most people finally make the decision to move out of addiction and into recovery the hardest battle is learning to trust. This applies to trusting self and others. Each person may experience this in different ways and at different times during recovery. However, lack of trust will always come into play at some point.

First you must learn to trust yourself. This is no small task as your judgment skills while using are flawed by whatever substance you chose to put in your body. When you enter recovery you must learn to once again use your core values and trust your own judgment to start making better decisions. Sometimes we get caught up in the drama of life and circumstances and forget we are capable of making positive decisions for ourselves. This is something that must be overcome as part of recovery. You can rise to the challenge of trusting yourself and earning the trust of others. This is where core values come into the mix. Core values are those things that you believe as true. These are your fundamental beliefs about what is right or wrong. Addiction allows people to forget their core values and beliefs because the focus is always on the next hit or drink. Once in recovery these core values can be reestablished and used to further recovery and rehabilitation. To reestablish these values a list is often helpful. Write out ten to twenty things that you believe are fundamentally true and acceptable. Is honesty best and necessary? Is breaking the law something that is unacceptable for everyone? Write out what is true for you as a way to remind yourself of what you believed and adhered to prior to addiction.

As these fundamental or core values are accessed you will continue moving forward in recovery. As you move forward there will be daily decisions that need to be made and your core values will likely nudge you in a certain direction. These gut feelings are the things you should listen to when making a decision. You must learn to trust yourself. If you do choose incorrectly, then deal with the consequences without giving up.

As you learn to trust yourself, your core values you will gain strength and insight. To begin the process answer these three questions: What is important? What do you enjoy? And What frustrates you? The answers to these questions will be very personal and different for everyone, but they hold the key to staying in recovery, especially in the beginning. Knowing what is important to you will guide you through the rest of your life. Knowing what frustrates you will help offer insights into your triggers and help you know what to avoid or when to relax and unwind. Finally, knowing what you enjoy can allow you to understand how to unwind. This is all part of learning to trust yourself. Once you gain self trust you can rebuild trust with others. You have the ability to better yourself or become your own worst enemy, which will you choose?

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Managing Your Triggers

Managing Your Triggers in Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Testimonials, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Managing Your Triggers in Recovery – Recovery can be a challenge. Whether in the beginning stages or years into your long term recovery you are likely to have certain triggers. Triggers are the people, places, and tings that can tempt you into using again. As recovery is a life long process that takes commitment these triggers can pop up at any time and must be dealt with as they come. If you are aware that this will occur then you can also be prepared to handle a trigger when it does arise.  Listed and explained are a few tips to help you when those triggers do crop up in life.

Though everyone is different in what becomes a trigger, these triggers still need to be identified in order to know what people, places, and things could be potential problems. This is not meant to be a source of fear for the individual, but a way to put a plan in place before a triggering event occurs.  Once the triggers are identified and documented if needed than a real plan can be created. When the plan to avoid or handle a given situation is in place than it should be practiced. Do not wait until faced with a trigger before practicing the plan. Practice with a friend, therapist, or even in a mirror to be fully prepared.

Now that you know what you are working with do not get over confident. You are not an exception to the rule. Triggers will occur and recovery is tough. Everyone has triggers and cravings that must be addressed in some manner. This is where planning and practice come into play. Do not test your strength or try to be a ‘hero’ by trying to prove you can handle a trigger. This simply means that you should not purposely come into contact with a trigger just to test your plan.

Finally, take care of yourself. Physical and mental health go hand in hand. Both aspects are highly important to recovery. If your mind and body are not healthy then recovery has a higher chance of failure or relapse. If a relapse does occur do not give up, simply start over and try again. However, while you are in recovery make sure to eat well and get plenty of rest so you are prepared for the challenges of daily life. Taking care of yourself has to become a priority for success.

In time you will be more confident in your own judgment in both dealing with triggers and in other areas of your life, but it will take time. Until you are further into recovery, with years under your belt, you can only be prepared and well practiced in your responses to the challenge that is recovery from addiction.

Managing Your Triggers in Recovery – If you have chosen recovery or are considering it you must be prepared. Do not let the hard work that is part of recovery be a deterrent to making the choice to battle your addiction. The road may be tough and filled with bumps, but the outcome will be well worth it in the long run. You have already made the first step by learning more, do not give up now.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Relax in Recovery

Ways to Relax in Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Ways to Relax in Recovery – Recovery, especially in the early stages can be stressful and exhausting. Allowing yourself to remain tired and over stressed can quickly allow recovery to get off track and possibly lead to a relapse. While everyone has a particular way they take time to relax, for addicts relaxation was often about using. Now that you are entering recovery new forms of relaxation must be found. Though these will differ for everyone, the list below will offer some cheap or free ideas that can create a relaxing time and aid in the overall recovery process.

Relax in Recovery – Self Care.

Ways to Relax in Recovery – Remember that relaxation and self care are an important part of recovery and should not be ignored or taken for granted. Without self care, recovery will be much harder in the long run. One basic way to relax for free is to get outside. Work with nature in the dirt by planting a garden or some flowers. Be a kid again and do not fear getting dirty. The work and the experience is relaxing for many and after you have a beautiful plant or a small garden to enjoy.

Listen to music. Choose music that is happy and uplifting, but not associated with previous addictions. Classical music is thought to be the most relaxing based on science, but any music that helps you calm down and forget your cares will work.

Engage In Meditation.

Ways to Relax in Recovery – Meditation can be in the form of quiet reflection or even guided imagery. These techniques can be learned online or most therapists can offer advice. Take time to be silent and focus on something positive or simply clear your mind and enjoy the silence. Guided imagery can take on many scenarios so if trying it do not be afraid to explore your options.
Get some exercise. Working out releases endorphins that produce a natural ‘high’. This does not mean you need to run out and join a gym. A brisk walk or a nature hike will do the trick. Find an activity you enjoy and take part. This will also help you be healthier in the long run. This is important to a body that has been abused by addiction.

Take a hot shower or bath. Fill a tub with bubbles, light some candles and take a long relaxing soak to let your cares drift away. As the water drains or as you rinse off, let the worries and stress of life go down the drain as well.

Don’t Forget To Laugh.

Ways to Relax in Recovery – Finally, take some time to laugh. Watch a funny movie or spend time with entertaining, non-using friends. A good laugh will also release endorphin’s in the body, as with exercise. Laughing at online jokes, at movies, or simply with friends will create a relaxing environment that helps you feel better.

No matter which healthy manner you choose to use to create a relaxing environment it is important to find something that creates a calm in you. Remember that this is all part of the recovery process and getting back to a normal life, so enjoy the experience.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Feelings as Part of Recovery

Feelings as Part of Recovery

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Feelings are one of those things that we all have and discuss, but also something we know little about in life. Feelings are demonstrated and felt differently from culture to culture and person to person. While some may find a hug comforting, others may feel it is intrusive. A good movie may make one person cry happy tears while another reacts with a giant smile. We often let our emotions control our decisions and this does not always work out favorably.

When in active addiction feelings are often dulled or nonexistent. Life becomes about the next fix, hit, or drink and how to obtain that next one.  If we do not learn to handle these feelings appropriately the result can be depression, stress, and anxiety. This can be accomplished in a number of ways and you must find what works for your individual situation. Some of the basics will be discussed in the remainder of this article.

In order to control emotions we must first identify them. This may sound simple, but often emotions are not felt in a singular manner. This means you may be scared and angry at the same time or happy and sad over the same situation. Being able to identify the emotions you are feeling, no matter how many can allow you to control those same emotions and handle the feelings appropriately. Once the emotions are identified then we may begin to control them accordingly.

Feelings as Part of Recovery -When in an emotional situation give yourself a time out to truly understand what you are feeling at that moment. If you are afraid then identify the source of fear. Are old thoughts and reactions taking over? Is the situation actually scary or just uncomfortable? Is the situation dangerous to your health and well being? Once you take a moment to think it through the situation may not be as scary or dangerous as originally assessed. The same is true of positive emotions such as excitement or happiness. Are you truly happy or simply reacting to others? You must take control of your own feelings.

As you learn to identify your emotions then you can also learn to control them. Just because the body reacts in fear does not mean a situation is dangerous. Sometimes fear is a learned response to a given stimuli. Some people are afraid of clowns, but the clown itself is not necessarily scary, the fear is learned from a previous bad experience. When in recovery we must learn not to fear or react to something simply because it was once a negative in life. Instead we must find the positive. For example, many addicts have spent time in jail due to their addiction or related behaviors. For many jail becomes a negative, but for those who have learned to control their emotions can see jail as a positive or a turning point that led to recovery.

Feelings as Part of Recovery – The choice is truly your own. How will you choose to react today? What emotions will be allowed to come forward? Choose wisely.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.