The past year has been very tough on most of us, for some we have lost a loved one due to the pandemic. Grief can cause you to relapse on your recovery if you do not deal with it in a healthy way.
We have put together 5 helpful coping tips t avoid relapse during grief for Orange County and the rest of the country.
Helpful coping tips to avoid relapse
Whether it is grief from the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a pet if you are not prepared it can derail your recovery if you do not deal with those emotions in a healthy way.
We have put together some healthy helpful coping tips for you.
- The number one thing you must do is acknowledge the pain and emotions you are feeling. Admitting your feelings does not make a weak person; in fact, it takes a strong person to admit they are not ok that they feel depressed, scared, alone, etc. Talking about your feelings help you deal with them.
- Stick to your recovery program. If you attend meetings, you may want to attend a few more than normal during this time so that you have the support of the group who know what you are going through
- Seek help from a therapist who deals with grief. They can help you understand the stages of grief and help you deal with the emotions that come from grief that could cause you to relapse from your substance recovery.
- Take care of yourself; remember HALT – hunger, anger, lonely, tired. You need to eat healthy foods, use healthy ways to deal with anger, connect with others, and get proper sleep. Exercise helps reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and help you sleep better.
- Allow yourself time to grieve. Grief does not go away overnight; take the time to work through the grief and feelings. However if you are still having trouble dealing with grief after six months or a year you should seek a therapist to help you work through it.
Be proactive about your recovery and plan ahead for situations that cause stress, anxiety, and grief. By having a plan for situations that may cause relapse you are being proactive with your recovery.
Tips of proactive planning
Planning for anxiety, depression, grief, and other emotions that may cause your recovery to derail include the following:
First grab a notebook or a couple sheets of paper to write down proactive steps to take; don’t forget to journal your feelings also.
Things you can add to the notebook are:
- Family member, friend, or group to call
- Therapists number
- Places to exercise and things you can do hiking, swimming, gardening, anything that will provide you exercise and sunshine to help you feel better.
Many of the things you were taught in rehab will work.
If you have a relapse or are ready to get clean, contact 449 Recovery.