Three requirements for success in recovery
Whether you’re recovering from an addiction or mental illness, recovery is a critical time. Treatment and rehabilitation are stretches of time for you to hone in on your education about your disorder and how it’s affecting yourself and others; it’s also a transformational period as you become clean and develop tools towards restoring your mind, body, and spirit.
No matter the length, type, social engagement or location, activities are helpful because they keep you engaged. If you’re researching treatment centers, place high consideration on ones that offer several different activities that you can become involved with – yoga, physical fitness, art therapy, writing therapy, aqua activities, psychodrama, music therapy, and ropes courses are just a few that you can partake in. Research has found that activities can also be particularly useful if your levels of social support have declined. Furthermore, a 2011 study titled “Exercise as a Potential Treatment for Drug Abuse: Preclinical Studies” revealed that exercise produces “protective effects” on transitional stages that one will encounter during recovery.
Additionally – and unsurprisingly – social support is critical for recovery. Having people to cheer you on in recovery is crucial because there will be times where you need motivation and encouragement; having a healthy social support network means that you have people you can turn to in times of greatness and in times of need. A 2016 article published in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal found that social support network size, satisfaction with support, and perceived support from the health care system were all significantly related to at least one recovery outcome of the participants as well as how they viewed their overall recovery.
Aftercare is a third essential to successful recovery in the long term. Though residential, and even partial care treatment programs including both physical exercise as well as social elements are effective, research has found that long term care is the most beneficial. Aftercare extends the treatment process as well as accountability, therapy, education, and much more. As clients begin their transition into a more independent lifestyle, aftercare programming helps keep them anchored to their treatment team, community, and therapy modalities.
It’s important that you incorporate all three components – activities, social support, and aftercare – into your recovery. They will help you stay focused on your recovery goals while receiving the engagement and motivation that you need to continue your journey to recovery.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. Our licensed, experienced professionals truly care about your success. If you are ready to seek treatment, call us today at 888-958-7511 for a consultation.
