Avoiding relapse isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work and determination. You need to believe in yourself and know that you are worth it! Recovery can be the pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow. Along the way you will hit a lot of bumps. How you negotiate the path you are on determines the out come you will have.

Of course there are some guidelines that can help you out when you find yourself struggling.

1. Be sure to pay attention to stress. Stress can be the trigger. The more you are stressed and worn down, the easier it is to slip into old habits. Stress can become overwhelming, it can make you feel as though you don’t matter and maybe all your hard work just isn’t worth it. Your addiction is fighting to regain control and will try to convince you to give up on recovery or tell you that 1 time won’t matter. This is when you must be diligent and not be fooled.

2. Take Inventory. Look at your life. How much more satisfaction and happiness has sobriety given you? You should be proud of the great strides you’ve made and sometime you just need to make a list of all the good in your life including repaired relationships. When you take inventory then you can see physical evidence of the good that has come from your recovery.

3. Allow yourself to feel the feeling you are having. Addiction dulls your senses, sobriety allows you to feel the good and the bad again. Don’t try to block out your disappointments, work through them so that you can experience true happiness. Feeling your life brings an entire new dimension to living. Stop protecting yourself and shielding yourself. Start today to take in all the beauty, love and happiness that surrounds you.

4. Stay close to your program. You know what you need to do, who you need to call and talk to. You know that there is ALWAYS someone there for you to talk to. That is the program and don’t let it drift away because you never know when you’ll need to fall back on it. Keep it fresh.

5. Don’t ignore your problems. Little problems become bigger problems so while they are manageable find solutions, ask for help. Problems cause stress and stress isn’t always a good motivator.

6. Stick with your friends, your new friends, the ones who understand what you are going through. You are holding each other up, when 1 of you falters the rest will be there to carry you.  These friends understand you because they are you. They have the same feeling and desires that you do. Together is the key.

7. Share at meetings. Meetings are to help you, they are to guide you and they can save you if you let them. Being open to others allows them to understand your needs and help you in the way you need. Sharing makes it personal and personal get to the heart of the problem, it help you to get ideas and responses from many different people.

8. Don’t isolate yourself. You need to be around people, people who understand you, people who want to help and guide you. You will also help and guide others because your story can change peoples lives, inspire them and help them by knowing they are not alone. Being alone can lead to depression and stress. Meetings, coffee, bowling, late night food runs, bonfires, working out, whatever you do don’t let your demons control you.

9. Get Professional Help. See a counselor, go to outpatient groups and if you need to – check yourself into rehab. Use all the resources that are available to you. If you don’t know ask. There is so many resources out there but you need to ask.

10. Follow the Steps. There is a very good reason that the step program is still around, because it works. It has worked for millions of people and it can work for you if you are willing to follow the steps.

You can avoid relapsing and if you do relapse you can get right back on track. Reach out to others because you matter!
Now go and have some fun with your sobriety.