5 Tips For Dealing With Isolation During Recovery

The one thing they can hope for after getting addiction treatment is that they will experience a return to some acceptable level of social interaction. While that happens often, there are still far too many instances of clients leaving rehab only to experience the same kind of isolation they were experiencing when using. As addiction treatment professionals, we cannot state any clearer that people in recovery need the love, care, and support of the people around them. They need a return of that sense of belonging, which can help them with the healing process. Unfortunately, old habits are hard to break. People fresh out of treatment are prone to returning to old behaviors absent of things to help keep that from happening. The cure? There are ways people in recovery can combat their need for isolation. We would like to present 5 tips for doing just that.

1. Stay Connected to Support Resources

During treatment, almost all of our clients are exposed to interacting in groups. We offer this because we know our clients will need outside support groups to help stave off relapses. We use the treatment process as a way of teaching each client that they are not alone in their addiction illnesses, and there are always people and groups they can lean on for help and support. Some of the support resources we recommend for our clients after leaving rehab are:

• Involvement in 12-Step programs (AA & NA)
• Regular outpatient counseling sessions
• Living in a sober living community
• Participating in rehab facility sponsored alumni events and programs

2. Rekindle Healthy Relationships From the Past

While in the throes of addiction, relationships get damaged. That doesn't mean they have been burned to the ground. After getting treatment, most family and friends will be open to rekindling relationships from the past. As long as those relationships weren't tied to the substance abuse that took place, they might well be relationships that can create the kind of companionship that someone in recovery really needs for their mental health and overall well being.Note: Family therapy programs are available to help people mend the fences that were broken by addiction.

3. Become Active in the Community

It's quite common for outsiders to believe that addiction is an act of selfishness. While that may or may not be true, there is a tendency for addiction sufferers to become self-absorbed in their own problems. That's part of what triggers their need to isolate.Coming out of treatment, the idea of giving back after receiving the gift of recovery is a righteous concept. Getting involved in the community and philanthropic endeavors is a great way to avoid becoming isolated in the battle against one's personal issues.

4. Focus on Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

After months or years of substance abuse, there is going to be a great toll taken on the addiction sufferer's mind and physical body. Actively pursuing a healthy lifestyle in recovery offers two major benefits. First, it helps the body and mind recover from the ravishes of addiction. It's amazing how fast the mind and body will recover after a period of eating healthy foods and getting plenty of good exercise. Second, there is a social component to leading a healthy lifestyle. Just getting out in the fresh air to exercise and enjoy the community can lead to the development of meaningful relationships.

5. Pursue Dreams and Goals

There is no better time than today to start pursuing dreams and goals. After missing time to pursue these things while caught in the cycle of addiction, recovery is the right time to take advantage of the gift of sobriety. Hopefully, people in recovery have learned just how precious time is and will have sufficient motivation to try new things and reach for things that will add value to their lives. At Hollywood Hills Recovery, we heavily support the concept that our recovering clients have a much better chance of avoiding relapses if surrounded by people who care. Please contact us if you would like more information about avoiding isolation after recovery.