On Posted on by 449 Staff to Mental Health, Resources

Those in treatment or recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) are often stigmatized and looked at as incapable or undervalued. However, this could not be further from the truth. At 449 Recovery, we emphasize the fact that people in treatment are, in fact, fully capable adults, simply using their skillsets for negative rather than positive. If you are recovering from mental health disorders and SUD, it is important to understand YOU CAN DO THIS. 449 Recovery will give you the freedom to be who you want to be while helping to make you eager about living life as a real adult and a good person.

Substances Masking Sense of Self

Before coming into treatment and achieving sobriety, many people have no idea who they truly are anymore. Their substance of choice completely takes over their life, making their sense of individuality reliant on drugs or alcohol. How do you find that new sense of self while no longer having ties to that vice? It is about re-learning and re-discovering the person you have always wanted to be.

What Makes You Happy?

Ask yourself what truly makes you happy when no one else is around. If the answer is doing such and such for so and so, you have deeper digging to do. What is it that makes you happy? If you struggle to find the answers to that question, or you find yourself wanting to say the substance that controlled your life, it is time to create new experiences. The beauty of recovery is that it is a fresh start, and a time to truly redefine who you are and what you do.

Try New Things

Make yourself a bit uncomfortable by trying new things and check in with how they make you feel during and after. Find activities that make you feel good inside, in the present moment. Breakaway from the day-to-day routine you are used to and exchange it with new and fresh hobbies. Maybe you have an artistic side that you have neglected. You may also discover your athletic, spiritual, or adventurous side.

Some activities you could incorporate into your new life in recovery could consist of:

  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Sewing
  • Coloring
  • Jogging or walking
  • Weight-lifting
  • Hiking
  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Reading and writing
  • Cooking

The list goes on and on; if you can think of it, then it is indeed out there. You may attempt something and realize it doesn’t fulfill you, but that is okay – there are always more things to give a try. Whatever aligns and resonates with you inside and lights your mind, body, and soul up is what you should be filling your time with. However, understand it may take time to navigate what exactly those things could be if you have lost touch for quite some time.

Ability to Advance

It can be challenging to navigate what feels like an all-new world when entering treatment and starting your recovery journey. However, you have the ability to do good and to live a life that fulfills you. You can learn to use your intellect to help you grow rather than self-sabotage.

Shifting Your Skillsets

As an adult using substances to cope with mental health disorders, there is no way to be successful without having a variety of skill sets. In other words, you cannot successfully acquire substances over and over again without being a skilled individual. However, just because you have previously used those skills for negative does not mean you can’t transition to using them for positive. Rather than using your skills in a way that is detrimental to your health, you can use them to advance in your life.

For example, finding money when necessary to get substances and creating connections with people to purchase them from involves skills that can be used for positive outcomes in your healthy adult life. Instead of searching for money to put into something that will contribute to self-destruction, you can use that skill – also known as being resourceful – to reach out for resources that will benefit your recovery journey. Instead of creating connections with people who will help you hurt yourself, look for those who aim to support you and your desire to be better.

Changing Your Mindset

When in active addiction, you often have the mindset that you will do anything and everything to get the substance that allows you to self-medicate. This mindset can also be used in your life in a way that will enable you to become a version of yourself that is dedicated to healing. If you can believe in your mind that you will do whatever it takes to beat SUD and take steps to do so, you will be able to make immense progress in treatment.

Despite what you may think, you have the skills and the capability to overcome addiction. With the right treatment and resources, you can learn to take the skills you have already instilled and put them towards your recovery. At 449 Recovery, you will be looked at as a fully capable adult who is taken seriously and has more than enough capabilities to turn your life around for the better. You are not a bad person; you simply have done bad things. You are not lacking anything; all you need is inside of you, and it is up to you to make the changes to become the functioning adult you truly can become. The right treatment center will guide you in the process and provide you with a support team to aid in the process. To get started on your recovery journey, call 449 Recovery at (949) 435-7449.

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