The Do’s and Don’ts of Navigating Early Recovery

Tips to Help you Navigate Early Drug & Alcohol Addiction Recovery

You’ve taken the first steps in your life to overcome substance use disorder and live a life free of the dependency of drugs and alcohol. Successfully completing an addiction treatment program is a huge accomplishment, but that is only the first of many challenges in the early stages of recovery. Once you leave rehabilitation, whether you move on to sober living housing or take refuge with a supportive, sober friend or family member, it is common to feel vulnerable and uncertain. During this next level of care, you’ll take the skills learned in treatment to help navigate early recovery.  

The 5 Do’s of Early Recovery

Get Busy – Boredom is the #1 enemy of sobriety. Discover a new hobby, learn a skill, volunteer, find something you’re passionate about. These are great ways to develop new life skills and make the journey to sobriety more enjoyable.

Be Open – Be open with your therapists, sponsors, life coach, friends and family about feelings and people/places/things that might be triggering you. Mental health is critical during the early stages of addiction recovery.

Connect – Get involved with 12-step meetings and support groups to fill gaps and find like-minded people to help you navigate through your recovery journey. Get involved; share your personal story.

Keep it Simple – You can build an amazing sober life using this as your key foundation. Don’t overthink situations that have simple answers. Focus on what’s in front of you and go from there.

Show Up – People in early recovery don’t skip out on what brings them happiness. Practice self-care, show up for yourself, ask for support.

The 5 Don’ts of Early Recovery

Don’t go Back – Don’t go back to people/places/things where drugs are present. If your old friends are still using, you need to leave them behind and focus on your new sober life.

Don’t Isolate – Loneliness and boredom are extremely harmful to recovering addicts.

Don’t Make Drastic Life Changes – Moving to a new place, changing jobs or starting a new relationship could put your recovery on the backburner and spiral you out of control and back into addiction.

Don’t set High Expectations – Acceptance is key to your new sober life. Things change at the drop of a dime. Setting expectations that are too high can lead to resentment.

Don’t Worry about the Immediate Future – In early recovery you have to take life one day at a time. Don’t worry too much about the future; keep working and focusing on today.

Freedom from alcohol addiction, heroin addiction and other substances is within reach. Silver Linings Recovery Center offers medical detox, inpatient treatment programs and outpatient treatment programs. Our Bucks County PA and Mercer County PA facilities help you navigate to sobriety and set you up with the tools to successfully navigate early recovery. Get Help Now: 855-960-3769.