How To Stay Focused on Your Recovery in Archstone This Fall

Recovery is a long and bumpy road. Staying on it can be difficult and, at times, borderline overwhelming. Keeping up with life and its demands while avoiding temptations and triggers can be a struggle. It is a daily test of determination and willpower. But, above all, it is a test of patience and discipline. However, addiction can numb all of those virtues. Sometimes, even to the point of non-existence. It is not an endless pool – it can dry up. When that happens, you may find yourself struggling to maintain motivation and focus. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome that. Here’s some advice from Lantana, FL treatment center specialist to help you stay focused on your recovery in Archstone this fall and keep going strong.

#1 A little trust goes a long way

In the vast majority of cases, addiction destroys a person’s capacity to trust others. However, this is not a personal failure or a person’s fault. Rather, it is the result of a social stigma and plain ignorance that surrounds the disease. In fact, most people don’t even know that addiction is a disease. They view it as a choice – a conscious one, no less. And, they react to it accordingly – with contempt and blatant disregard for a person struggling. Which, needless to say, makes it all the more difficult to not only enter recovery but seek help in the first place. With this in mind, we can extrapolate the first advice that will help you stay focused on your recovery in Archstone this fall.

#1.1 KNOW that you’re not alone

Learn to trust your therapists, doctors, and clinical staff. They made a conscious choice to do the same for you. To believe in you and your capacity to recover and become the best version of yourself – even if you yourself find it hard to believe it. These are the people who are all too aware of what you’re going through. They’ve seen it all, and they keep seeing it on a daily basis. And they choose to do it again and again just so they can help. In other words, they are here with your best interest in mind only.

So, allow yourself to trust them. Allow yourself to open up and be vulnerable. Simply because they will never abuse that trust. They won’t judge, condemn, or mislead you. Once you do that, you’ll see that taking their advice to heart and acting on it isn’t so difficult. After all, knowing someone’s got your back makes focusing on other things much more relaxed. From the moment you go through the door or contact a rehab clinic, KNOW that they are there for you.

#2 Clarity comes to those who ask

You will learn a lot of new things during your recovery. And we mean A LOT – from healthy ways to cope to cravings management to new ways to interact with people. Some, you’ll get the ropes of right away. Others, not so much. And that’s perfectly fine. No one expects you to learn everything at once – that’s quite unrealistic. However, what every therapist and doctor will expect you to learn (and fast) is to not be afraid to ask for advice, guidance, or clarification. This will not only help with the understanding of a current topic or clinical assignment – but will progress your recovery in general. And, speaking of understanding brings us neatly to the next point.

#2.2 Take the time to pause and reflect

Self-reflection is the key if you want to stay focused on your recovery in Archstone this fall. Remember, your goal is not just to finish the drug detox Florida program. It is to understand it. Sure, in the beginning, it will seem like all of it is information overload. But, as you progress, as you reflect – lightbulbs will start popping up above your head. You’ll start having those “a-ha!” and “Oooh!” moments that will make the whole experience oh-so-satisfying. And as your understanding grows, so will the speed of recovery.

#3 Take it easy, take it slow – you’ll get where you want to go

Addiction does not happen overnight. Neither does recovery. It is a complex process and, as such, can seem rather sluggish. Such a slow tempo can sometimes leave you feeling down and disheartened. But, remember – moving forward, even at a snail’s pace, means you’re not standing still. It means that you’re making progress! Over time, those little steps will add up. And they’ll only keep adding up, as you keep on going. So, do not try to rush your recovery. Take it easy – one foot in front of the other. Take the time to absorb it all and you’ll find the whole process not only useful but enjoyable, too. However, there is one thing to be mindful of here.

#4 Goals pave the way to recovery

While one step at a time is a good strategy to get yourself free of addiction, it hardly means anything if you don’t know where you’re going. That can leave you pacing in a spot, or running in circles, chasing your own tail. Needless to say, doing so can be quite dangerous. It can leave you frustrated, angry, or depressed. After all, you’re giving all you’ve got, and making virtually no progress. Fortunately, you can avoid this terrible scenario by taking two actions:

• Clearly defining your goals, and;
• Making a solid plan(s) to reach those goals.

So, let’s see how you can do both.

#4.1 Focus on your goals 

One of the best ways to stay focused on your recovery is to know what you’re working toward. Now, a “full recovery” is the ultimate goal – that much is clear. However, it is also quite broad. Too broad, in fact, and hardly quantifiable. “Full recovery” can mean a bunch of different things. For some, it is reconnecting with their family after finishing the medical detox Florida program. For others, it can mean catching up on their studies. Yet for others, it is pursuing a dream job. For a lot of people, it can entail a combination of these achievements, or all of them. This is where clearly defining goals becomes critical. It is a breaking point that can, in the vast majority of cases, define the rest of your life. Which brings us to the question: “What makes for a well-defined goal?”

Things to have in mind when setting your goals

Setting recovery goals is delicate. Make them too grandiose, and you’ll find them hard to achieve, which can lead to disappointment. Make them too minuscule, and you’ll find them hardly satisfying. Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make big goals. Or small ones, for that matter. But, it is important to make them realistic and meaningful. Most importantly, make sure the goals you set are reasonable and achievable. 

• One step at a time. Re-inventing yourself and your life involves making huge changes – physical, mental, and social. Trying to implement them all at once is nigh impossible. Furthermore, you risk spreading yourself too thin, which can only lead to frustration. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on one goal at a time.
• Focus on milestones. Once you have a big goal in mind, it is time to find out what’s it going to take to achieve it. As with everything in life, every endeavor is a series of steps. As such, you can break down that big goal into bite-sized pieces. And, then, tackle them in a logical order.

Picking up a single goal and working toward it step-by-step offers the greatest chance of success. Of course, each step will require some effort. But, not nearly as much as if you’d try to do it all at once.

#5 A good plan is crucial for recovery

Once you know exactly what your goals are and what they entail, it is time to chart a path toward them. Here, a general rule of planning applies. The more in-depth and detailed you are, the easier it will be to reach the destination.

Another important thing when it comes to realizing your plans is keeping track of your progress. Having a journal where you’ll note your achievements is a great way to remain motivated. As you check things off, each success will reinvigorate you and give you the strength and motivation to keep going forward.

Now, this does seem like a lot of work. It is. Fortunately, you won’t have to do it all on your own. While you’re attending various therapy sessions, you will be strongly encouraged to do all of the above. Needless to say, your therapist(s) will help you in this endeavor. After all, that’s what they are here for – to guide you toward a better life.

#6 Focus on the positives

Recovery is not a straightforward process. Rather, it is a series of ups and downs. You’ll have good days and bad days, high points and low ones. The important thing if you want to stay focused on your recovery in Archstone this fall is to never lose sight of what you’re working toward. Therefore, do your best to pivot around those positive experiences. Deepen your understanding of them. Find out how they work and, more importantly, why they work. That way, you’ll learn how to recreate them on your own.

On the flip side, don’t just outright ignore the negatives. Instead, take some time to analyze them, too. Low points are an integral part of the recovery process. A necessary one, actually. As such, giving them due thought will teach you how to avoid them and, more importantly, not dwell on them.

#7 Keep attending therapy and support group sessions

Recovery is a journey – but it is not a walk in the park. Therefore, it is expected to get hard from time to time. Eventually, you’ll hit a snag. Maybe you’ll start wondering if remaining at the inpatient drug detox center Florida is all worth it. It may even seem like all of it was a huge mistake and that you’re better off just reverting to the old ways. These kinds of doubts are perfectly normal and expected. After all, you’re flipping your entire world upside down. It is bound to be scary.

When that happens – stop. Drop what you’re doing and ask for help. Even in the darkest hour there are people who can shine a light. So, don’t be afraid to fall back on your support group, therapists, and clinical staff. Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. If nothing – it is the exact opposite. It is the very definition of bravery. And the people we mentioned know that, all too well. After all, taking a step back only means that you’re preparing to lunge forward.

Believe in yourself and never give up!

This! At the very start, we said that to stay focused on your recovery in Archstone this fall, you’ll need four things. Determination, will, patience, and discipline. All those virtues stem from a singular source – belief. Believing in yourself, your capabilities, and the fact that you deserve to be happy and healthy. Whether you’re just starting a treatment or thinking about it, know that YOU CAN DO IT! You are strong enough. You are smart enough. And you are not alone in this fight.