Battling addiction to drugs, alcohol, or any other kind of substance or behavior is a trying task, and there is nothing easy about overcoming addiction and creating a healthy life. Recovery is never a linear path. Instead, each day is constantly changing, with continuous ups and downs as individuals move from feelings of great accomplishment and pride to days of difficulty and doubt.
Persistence is crucial to battle the ongoing trials of recovery, and maintaining a healthy mindset and resilience can provide the necessary tools to continue focusing on one’s sober future. Slips or tumbles along the journey never mark the “end” of one’s chances for a sober future. Persistence can help each individual regain their footing and focus on their ongoing recovery.
The Prevalence of Slips and Relapse
Slips and relapse are a constant threat to sobriety, and battling the urges and cravings throughout every stage of recovery is exhausting. While experiencing a slip or relapse is undoubtedly detrimental, it does not mean that one is “beyond healing” or that sobriety and recovery are somehow impossible for any person.
Persistence takes two forms throughout recovery. First, persistence is the ability to get up each day and tend to one’s responsibilities and sober routine. Second, persistence is the ability to not give up on oneself, whether physically or mentally, even in the face of hardship or setbacks. Relapse is an intense setback that can feel terrible. Yet, individuals can continually refocus on their sober goals, tend to obligations, and return to a sober mental state.
Just because one experiences a slip or relapse does not mean they have somehow forgotten all the strategies learned. Coping strategies and therapeutic approaches tried throughout one’s journey may still be effective, and these slips or relapses do not indicate that one’s journey thus far was an outright “failure.” Instead, new stressors may develop in a person’s life along with unforeseen elements that need to be addressed with proven and practical strategies, marking the need to expand one’s approach rather than wholly start over.
While this may mean that one will have to return to detox or inpatient treatment, it does not mean that recovery is ever over or beyond reach. Persistence can help each individual battle these hurdles and avoid any kind of defeatist mentality that may plague their recovery journey.
Sobriety Isn’t Achieved Overnight
The addiction recovery journey is long and believing that one’s battles with addictive substances cease after detox can set an individual up for unnecessary and avoidable difficulties. Overcoming addiction is a lifelong process, and persistence is crucial for understanding the lengthy nature of this battle.
Sobriety requires constant maintenance, and one must be constantly prepared to battle the ongoing trials ahead. While times of significant progress and success in recovery are worthy of celebration, it is still important to develop coping strategies for tough times that may still lie ahead. Likewise, even the most difficult times in recovery will eventually end, paving the way for feelings of success and accomplishment.
Recovery and sobriety are not measured by how quickly one can embrace a new coping strategy but rather by how well one can continuously incorporate new activities, mentalities, and behaviors throughout their journey.
Persistence Is a Group Effort
Accepting persistence as a cornerstone of success is only part of the journey, and persistence and resilience need to be complemented with a robust and effective support system. A person’s supports can provide constant perspective and motivation throughout their journey, and friends greatly aid feelings of resilience and persistence, as do family, loved ones, and peers.
Without like-minded peers and supports, it can be easy to pace oneself in an unhealthy way. One may feel overconfident in their coping strategies or completely unmotivated throughout their sober journey. Supports and peers provide the necessary pacing and mentality to create a consistent mindset to continue pushing through all parts of sobriety while setting appropriate goals.
Persistence Is Personal
One of the most effective ways to maintain a mindset of persistence is to embrace a very personalized approach to recovery. Recovery strategies are most effective when they are pertinent to one’s unique life and needs. Personalized recovery strategies better reflect an individual’s own needs and allow them to balance a sustained, persistent mindset with appropriate goals and milestones. These personalized approaches, therapies, communication strategies, and social networks create an easier way to continuously engage with the recovery strategies regularly.
Developing personalized recovery plans, whether one is just beginning their recovery journey or refocusing on their sobriety after a slip or relapse, can promote the healthiest approach to ongoing sobriety for the future.
Recovery takes constant effort, and with no “end” to one’s recovery efforts, maintaining sobriety can be trying. Pacific Sands Recovery Center, located in beautiful Santa Ana, CA, understands the need for a persistent and resilient mindset to prioritize a sober future. From detox and residential care to ongoing outpatient treatment, we can meet you where you are on your recovery journey and help you take your next strides towards a sober life. There is no point where recovery and sobriety are no longer possible, and there is always time to adjust and transform your life. There is nothing easy about overcoming addiction, but the ability to get back up and keep pushing is a testament to your strength and resilience for your sober future. For more information on how we can personalize your time with us, call us today at (949) 426-7962.
