the notion of self in the journey back from addiction

THE NOTION OF SELF IN THE JOURNEY BACK FROM ADDICTION FREE

All of us have made mistakes and been less than perfect.

Remembering to HALT if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, remember you need to practice self-careĮvery one of us has human limitations, a past that has shaped our steps, a genetic tendency toward certain medical conditions, and a limited amount of knowledge.

Establishing a daily spiritual reflection, activity, or practice.

Exercising, meditating, practicing yoga, or learning a new skill.

Getting a babysitter or family member to spend quality time with your children while you spend quality time on yourself.

Recognizing the signs that you need to recharge.

In order to succeed at staying sober, you need to care for yourself as diligently as you would like to care for others by: This brings up feelings of resentment and then, later, feelings of guilt for having those thoughts or for taking time for ourselves. If you only give and never recharge, your emotional well will run dry. We have been taught that the best mothers are self-sacrificing and put the needs of their family ahead of themselves, but, in fact, no human being can continue to give of themselves without sleep, self-care, and having their own emotional needs met. Once you are holding a non-alcoholic drink, no one will feel the need to keep offering alternatives. One highly effective strategy is to change what you define as a “drink.” When hostesses or friends ask if you would like a drink, respond with your specific request “I would like a (soda, juice, bottle of water) please.” Very often, this response is accepted happily by your friends without any other explanation.

Holiday parties, book clubs, and mom’s night out events where alcohol or drug use is the norm.

Outdoor gatherings where BYOB is the norm or where alcohol is served.

Playdates which include wine for the parents.

Some of the not so obvious mom activities that can be a problem include: If you have attended events in the past that included drinking, you should expect that future invitations from the same group of people will cause you to experience cravings.Ī ddiction recovery is not an instant cure it is a process that becomes easier and safer over time, but, especially in the early phases, relapse prevention needs to be a primary focus for mothers. This can be one of the most difficult challenges for mothers because drinking and prescription drug use have found their way into what were once family-friendly and sober activities. Stay Away from Events You Associate with Using

Taking a break from admiring and thumbs-upping other people’s lives will help you focus on your own journey back to the family life you want to have. Everyone’s family life has challenges, no matter how happy they may appear on social media. Maybe someone in your feed took their children to an amusement park or bought them a motorbike while you were attending outpatient addiction treatment.Ĭomparing yourself to the picture-worthy moments of someone else’s family life can make you hold yourself to an unrealistic standard. Humorous memes make light of daily drinking for mothers. Your old circle of friends may have been a big part of your introduction to the “mom wine” culture, and your connections on social media may interrupt your day multiple times with images of people drinking and looking unrealistically happy. Focusing on nurturing activities with those you loveĢ.Exploring local parks and hiking trails with your child.These activities create new memories and positive associations which encourage long-term sobriety: With self-awareness, it becomes possible to redirect our minds and efforts into healthy alternatives.īuild a new schedule of activities that includes time with adults, your children, and self-exploration to replace substance use in your family’s life. Part of the success of outpatient drug rehab centers comes from helping women understand what factors are causing or contributing to their addiction. These tips can help you steer clear of the “mom wine” and Xanax culture and make the changes you want to make for your children and for yourself.

THE NOTION OF SELF IN THE JOURNEY BACK FROM ADDICTION FREE

Many are choosing outpatient addiction treatment to break free of this vicious cycle.Ī ddiction recovery for moms is more challenging because they often must continue to manage daily responsibilities while dealing with withdrawal, learning healthy ways to cope with stress and rebuilding or improving their family relationships. Mothers are under a tremendous amount of stress in modern society, and a cultural acceptance of drinking and prescription drug use is widespread, leaving many moms struggling to meet impossibly high standards with substance use as the norm. Author: RECO Intensive 8 Addiction Recovery Tips for Moms

The notion of self in the journey back from addiction