Recovering from substance abuse does not stop as soon as an individual leaves a treatment program. In many cases, temptations will arise for months and even years after giving up the substance. Although it is important to consider a variety of ways to avoid temptations, a solution that can help during the initial stages of recovery is creating a schedule.
Avoiding Tempting Situations
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that addiction is a complicated problem, so there is no single solution that helps every individual. Although that may be the case, a schedule can help by reducing the amount of time that you or your loved one is in a stressful environment.
Tempting situations can arise after leaving a treatment program, but a schedule helps reduce the number of temptations that arise. When it is time to go to work, there is a clear direction that you or your loved one must go. There is no time that is available to give into a temptation, so it is easier to avoid situations that can cause temptations.
It Provides a Clear Goal
Goals are an essential part of recovery. When you have clear steps to reach for future goals, it is easier to mark your progress and avoid temptation that could cause you to stray from the ultimate goal.
Shortly after leaving a treatment program, it is likely that tempting situations will arise; however, the success of every step toward your goal can help you recognize when a temptation has come up and avoid taking a few steps backwards.
Maintaining Your Health
A schedule allows you to manage your time. As a result, you can ensure that you are taking measures to maintain your health after leaving a treatment program.
Setting aside a specific time to exercise each day can help you avoid temptations. Exercise helps strengthen your body and your immune system, which in turn prevents sickness from developing. When you are strong and healthy, the temptation to abuse drugs or alcohol can be easier to handle.
Along with exercise, a schedule ensures that you are eating meals on a regular basis. When you or a loved one is not eating a healthy diet, it is easier to develop sicknesses or problems that are related to nutrient deficiencies. Depending on the nature of a particular addiction, nutrient deficiencies can also be a concern.
Creating a schedule ensures that you are setting aside time to eat a meal at regular intervals. As a result, your health can improve.
Remaining Mindful of Your Responsibilities
Mindfulness can be a useful tool to avoid temptations because it helps you recognize when you or a loved one is tempted to use the substance. Psychology Today points out that mindfulness can help alleviate temptation because it forces you or your loved one to acknowledge that the craving for the substance exists.
When you create a schedule, you are actively making plans to avoid temptations. As a result, you become mindful of the potential risks and can take measures to ensure that your schedule limits the potential problems.
It is not always possible to avoid temptations or cravings for a substance, but that does not mean you or your loved one cannot take steps to counter those potential situations. A schedule can help by maintaining awareness of the risks and taking measures to ensure that it is possible to reach for each goal that you or a loved one sets.