"The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage."

- Thucydides - Ancient Greek Historian 5th Century B.C.

Tools 

• Prayer – Pray often to God, He will reveal His love and wisdom for you.
• Journal – It’s an outlet and will help you find clarity and peace with your thoughts.
• 12 Step Meetings – Print out a list in your area. Where is a local meeting today?
• Sponsor – It won’t be long going to meetings before you’ll find a sponsor.  They will help shepherd you through your recovery.
• You might also like Celebrate Recovery (CR) This is a Christian based step program that is hosted at many local churches.  You don't have to attend the regular church service to attend the CR group.  Wikipedia Link
• Pastor or Church Group –  A supportive pastor, leader or church group can be very helpful. 
• Supportive Friends in Recovery - Talk, Connect, Support each other...
• Recovery Books, CD’s and Internet Sites
• A new set of habits.  This involves new places to go, praying in the morning, new friends who are finding success in recovery and a new lifestyle.  Once you break the gravity of the old dependence on chemical mood altering, you’ll find plenty of natural high connecting with God, yourself and others in honesty and joy.

 Actions

1. Take a Victory Lap:  Like a marathon runner who has just finished 26 miles, you can give yourself some credit.  It wasn’t easy facing your deep issues.  By finishing a rehab program you’ve accomplished something BIG!   Remember to always take a victory lap after each milestone or accomplishment and remember that your supporters are cheering you on!

 

2. Manage Expectations - It’s not supposed to be easy, so don’t expect to be ‘walking on sunshine’ all the time.  If beating addiction was easy, every addict would do it after experiencing the first bit of deep damage caused by substance abuse.  Beating addiction is tough, but you’ve proven that you are tougher.   You’ve experienced some peak emotions in recovery, and you will again, but normal life still has all the challenges it’s always had, only now you’re more prepared to find joy in the midst of any struggle.

 

3. Discouragement - When you get discouraged don’t beat yourself up. Try not to be too surprised by adversity, there will be old thoughts and habits rearing their head, but remember, you’ve got new tools to deal with them. 

 

4. Be Kind to Yourself – When the accusing inner voice speaks, you don’t have to agree, speak back kindness to yourself.  Imagine yourself protecting a small child from a bully.  Take that child out to a park, coffee shop, or a favorite place where you won’t be tempted and tell yourself how proud you are for your accomplishments.  Journal kind words to yourself.

 

5. Watch your Dashboard Warning Lights.  If you are overheating with anxiety, depression or anger, This is Normal.  You’re in recovery, its ok.  Pull yourself over and take a break. Use your tools.   Pray, journal, call your sponsor, get to a meeting, make plans with friends, church group.  Turn on a CD.  

 

6. If you slip and use again… get back on the horse right way.  When you talk to your sponsor and others at the next meeting, you’ll hear from many who have fallen back who simply brushed themselves off and kept going.   When you do, take a victory lap!

 

7. Try 90 12-Step Meetings in 90 Days

The more supportive voices there are in your life, the greater momentum you’ll create for success.  Meetings keep that momentum moving in the right direction.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:1-3,10