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What is recovery?
Recovery is the phase which starts when the detox is completed. In short, when all the substances have been eliminated from the addict’s body. In the recovery stage, the person experiences improved health, wellness and good quality of life. The process of recovery may take time and is divided into different stages.
Coping mechanisms:
We use coping mechanisms to fight external and internal stress. These are further classified into:
- Cognitive.
- Emotional.
- Behavioral.
These mechanisms can be negative or positive in nature. Coping mechanisms are also known as the defense mechanisms, a process which was discussed in detailed by the famous psychologist, Freud.
Some of the negative mechanisms which people use are:
- Denial: In this process we try to lie to ourselves in order to escape a painful situation. For example, parents usually exhibit this mechanism when they experience the death of their child.
- Displacement: In this strategy people redirect their emotions about a person or object. For example, fathers usually get anger on their children after coming back from office because they had a bad day with the boss.
Other negative coping mechanisms include avoidance, procrastination, passive aggressiveness, rationalization, projection, intellectualization etc.
Role of positive coping mechanism in recovery:
Positive coping mechanisms encourage relaxation and restoration in the lives of addicted individuals.
These mechanisms include practical exercises which involve escaping and rewarding one’s self.
Some of the coping strategies commonly practiced are as follows:
- Go to gym:
Exercise helps the person to get rid of the accumulated stress and anxiety. Physical and mental exercises distract your mind from drugs.
- Sleep well:
When our biological clock gets disturbed we face many physical and psychological problems. To avoid them, one must try to maintain a healthy sleep routine. When you get adequate sleep your mind automatically gets relaxed.
- Think positive:
Always be positive no matter how worst a situation gets. Being positive does not mean that nothing is negative in your life. It means you have the ability to cope with the difficulties in your life. Negative thinking can push an addict into a relapse. Instead of finding painful and bad things in your life, try to focus on the blessings around you. Staying positive is not an easy task but it is not impossible as well.
- Write it down:
Try to jot down any thought which is disturbing you. Enlisting events will help you clear your mind. Write about your future plans and goals. These writing will motivate you and help you to express your thoughts in a positive manner. Your diary entries and journals can help you to explore the causes of the addiction.
- Help others:
When you help others and try to make them smile, happiness comes to you automatically. Make it a habit to help at least two people every day. If you are currently in recovery, lending your time and experience to others who have just begun their recovery journey is very helpful to not only their sobriety, but your own.
Contact Drug Rehab Addiction Treatment today to learn about our variety of addiction recovery programs. We are dedicated to helping our clients secure a happy and successful future.
