The Road to Recovery: You Don’t Have to Make the Journey Alone

After achieving sobriety through rehabilitation and beginning down the road to recovery, you may be looking forward to some “smooth sailing”. Unfortunately, this may not necessarily be the case. In fact, you may be advised to avoid old friends and cohorts you used to spend time with as they may have enabled or encouraged addictive behaviors such as drinking, doing drugs, smoking, partying, gambling, etc.

If you are to stay on track, you may need to avoid or end old habits and/or relationships with friends, even family, if they have or continue to support your addiction. You may need to learn new ways of living or build new relationships. This may sound extreme, though this may be necessary if you are to maintain your sobriety, especially if these old behaviors had facilitated your addiction.

Recovery does not mean that you have to be alone or lonely. Having positive social support can be very important in recovery.

The Value of Positive Support

Going through all of the challenges of this long, arduous journey, building a new life without anyone to support you could be a heartbreaking thing to imagine. Loneliness can be a powerful trigger to relapse; avoid relapse by finding the RIGHT support. You may need people who can offer you positive reinforcement. These individuals may be your family and friends who do not support your addiction and who are genuinely concerned about you.

You cannot underestimate the emotional support and stability that positive individuals can offer during this trying time. Those that are positive supports in your life may benefit from engaging in aftercare counseling with you in order to increase their understanding of addiction and how to best support you.

Professional Support Outside the Family

Despite their love and good intentions, your family and most positive friends may only be able to provide support. You may also need the resources of a skilled, experienced therapist who can empower you to unlearn negative habits and learn new ways to make changes in your life.

The road to recovery has varying terrain and challenges leading to the possibility of needing lifelong support. You don’t have to look far; you can find qualified, licensed and independently contracted therapists at Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC. Therapists can empower you to better manage the unique challenges of recovery and to develop resilience along the way. Call today to schedule your first session.

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