So You've Been to Rehab, Now What? 7 Strategies For True Recovery

In an hour where addictions to prescription medicines have become increasingly prevalent in our society many are turning to rehab as an end all cure all. Unfortunately, many are relapsing as quickly as they are getting clean and sober.

Being a recovered and delivered alcoholic myself and a volunteer at a rehab center, I began to listen to addicts to find out what they were or were not doing to maintain there sobriety. From my own personal experience I can empathize with them because I know the challenge is not in going through a rehab program but rather in finding life long true recovery.

Yes, I said "my own personal experience." In 1991 I spent 31 days in a 21 rehab only to come out, go right back to the same people, places and things, relapsing for 7 years. After my relapse I spent 7 long years trying to find true recovery only to become more dejected, depressed and more addicted.

1.) Plan For Recovery...Say this out load to yourself "Failing to plan is planning to fail." Not cliche, but rather a simple truth. Sadly most people spend more time planning their summer vacation than planning their lives. One of the greatest downfalls for someone trying to get clean and sober is that they don't utilize the time they have while in rehab to prepare them self for leaving rehab. There's security in being confined somewhere with people who understand you and who are going through what you're going through. However, the world most likely will not be so kind or considerate. Therefore you must make a plan as to Where you're going to go; What you are going to do; What your limitations will be; Who will be in your circle of influence; and many more. These are simple question for your to ask yourself in order to plan for recovery.

2.) Daily Journal... Journaling is a great form of release and a dynamic way to continually inventory your progress. Write down where you are in your recovery, your goals, how you are feeling. Anything that will help elevate you to another level of living. The bible teaches us to "Record the vision and inscribe it upon tablets that the one who reads it may run." - Habbakkuk 2:2. Daily journaling will empower you to recover.

3.) Have A Mentor... In every avenue of life each of us are in need of someone to be accountable to. Some programs call this a "sponsor", however, I prefer mentor. This person needs to be someone who has achieved not only that which you desire, but one who is successful in life. Someone who can teach you how to grow as a person, help build your self esteem and hold you accountable for the things they are imparting into your life. You don't have to do it alone, there are others who can and will help you!

4.) Involve Your Family In Recovery... Most families of addicts do not participate in the recovery process simply because they are afraid of being hurt or let down again. To an extent this is understandable, but if they have lived with an addict for a period of time they need help too. Recovering together gives everyone a better understanding of the things each other face and provide a much needed support.

5.) Be Easy On Your Self...Too many make the mistake of placing unnecessary pressure on theirself to be perfect. To do everything right instead of allowing them self the room to grow. You didn't become an addict overnight and you won't recover overnight. So learn to relax, take each day as it comes, each issue as it arises and concentrate on fixing you before you trying to fix everyone and everything else.

6.) Don't Be Afraid Of Change... Once you've become clean and sober you must understand that "your life won't change over night, but it will change". Change is something that most are afraid of, yet I've come to learn that change can be good. Yes, you may lose friends, family and hangouts but the focus of your attention initially has to be on what's best for your long term sobriety. Therefore you can't be afraid of change, to fear change will hinder your progress.

7.) Reach Out To Others... The greatest motivation for staying clean and sober is to have the opportunity to help someone else in their quest for recovery. Take what you've been given and give it to someone else, share your experience and watch how you will make a positive impact on their life. Therefore making it somehow worth it knowing you've gone through what you have to help someone else get through it too.