Coping Strategies in Recovery That Aren’t Drugs or Alcohol

The Connection Between Coping Strategies & Addiction

Poor mental health and addiction are often connected. Several people who become addicted to drugs or alcohol did so because they originally used the substances as a way to cope with their issues. While drugs and alcohol may temporarily numb the pain, this continued pattern of behavior can eventually lead to addiction. Without formal help like our dual diagnosis rehab program in Broward County, the person may be doomed to see both problems get worse.

Positive Coping Strategies in Recovery

In early recovery especially, you are bound to face quite a few addiction cravings that may even have you questioning your sobriety. Instead of letting these cravings get the best of you, try these coping strategies in recovery.

Taking a Time Out

Sometimes the best coping strategy in recovery is to step away from the situation. Especially if you are surrounded by people, places, or things that are addiction triggers for you, getting away can drastically reduce the severity of your cravings.

Reflect

Especially if you have been through a mental health program, you understand that your negative thought patterns can be fuel for your addiction problems. Instead of indulging this negativity or turning to drugs or alcohol to numb them, take a moment to reflect. When you take time for self-reflection, you are able to analyze irrational thoughts, create more realistic expectations, and examine your emotions. All of these can help you cope with the thoughts behind your addiction cravings and move past them. Journaling can be especially helpful in the reflection process as it helps people manage anxiety, cope with depression, reduce stress, and process emotions.¹

Relax

A lot of former addicts turned to drugs or alcohol in times of stress. When you start to feel stressed in recovery and feel those addiction cravings coming to the surface, focus on trying to relax. Taking a bath, sitting in candlelight, listening to soothing music, and meditating are all healthy coping strategies in recovery to decrease stress and help you relax.

Distract Yourself

Sometimes you just need to get your mind off of whatever is bothering you. In terms of addiction recovery, this often means distracting yourself from rising drug cravings. A good way to go about this may be turning on the T.V. or diving into a good book. Even indulging in a silly task like using a fidget spinner repetitively may be able to help.

Reaching Out to Others

Whether you were in residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program for addiction, you should have been taught the importance of having a good support system in recovery. Not only is it helpful to know that others are going through similar struggles, but reaching out to these people instead of turning drugs or alcohol is a good coping mechanism in recovery. A little bit of venting can do your mental health good; just be careful not to get too hung up on the negativity.

Exercise

While exercise can have several benefits for both your physical and mental health, it can also act as a healthy coping strategy in recovery. Especially in early recovery, when drug triggers are common and you constantly feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster, exercise can help. It has been proven to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy.²

Practice Self Love

Low self-esteem and addiction are often connected,³ so it is important to make practicing self-love a new coping strategy in recovery when you are feeling down about yourself. Give yourself regular words of affirmation. Try to focus on the future and your progress instead of the past. If feeling worthless makes you want to drink or get high, then improving your self-worth through self-love practices can help lessen this craving.