One of the classic characteristics of substance use disorders is a loss of connection. When drinking or using becomes an overriding priority in your life, your other relationships tend to deteriorate – including the one you have with yourself. Therefore, a significant part of the recovery process involves getting to know who you are when drugs or alcohol aren’t standing in the way. Here are our top tips for learning about yourself after rehab.

1. Forgive Yourself

If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you already know that the tenets of AA include a directive to make amends to people you hurt. However, you can’t fulfill that requirement until you’ve practiced self-forgiveness first. Working on healing your body, mind and spirit from the damage and destruction caused by addiction is a step in the right direction, and you’ll need to allow yourself plenty of time and space to do so. After fully forgiving yourself, you’ll arrive at a place where you can start asking others for forgiveness.

2. Be Patient

Today’s world revolves around convenient, quick-fix solutions, but there is no instant cure for addiction. Part of learning about yourself after rehab requires you to accept that you are living with a chronic brain disease. Completing a treatment program will not solve all your problems, but it will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to maintain lifelong sobriety. However, you will need to be patient and have the wisdom to recognize that turning your life around can’t happen overnight. You will encounter some obstacles, and your response to them will build character.

3. Set New Goals

While struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, you may have chosen to deny the extent of your problems and justify your self-destructive behavior. Perhaps you also didn’t appreciate or even recognize yourself as a sober person. Now that substance abuse is no longer holding you back, you can begin working on achieving long-term goals for who you want to become. You’ll find yourself with plenty of free time for learning about yourself after rehab, once you’re no longer spending hours abusing substances and recovering from their effects.

4. Live More Mindfully

Learning about yourself after rehab is a process of looking inward. Practicing more mindfulness techniques can help you relax and teach you how to be alone without feeling lonely. In many ways, severing ties with your substance of use can feel like losing a trusted friend or confidant, which might cause you to struggle with anxiety or depression symptoms. Meditation is one all-natural remedy for mood disorders that can bring you relief. For many people, setting aside 20 minutes a day to sit quietly, slow their thoughts and focus on their breath is enough to reap the rewards.

5. Surround Yourself With Positive People

For sustained sobriety, it’s imperative to find a community of people who understand and support your goals. Making new friends is also an excellent way to teach you new things about yourself. A high-accountability sober living community is the ideal environment for many people who achieved independence from alcohol and drugs in a treatment program, but who are not quite ready to fully return to the “real world.” To learn more about sober living in Texas, contact us today.