What Are Your Addiction Recovery Tools?

Addiction recovery isn't easy, but it can be much less difficult when you figure out which addiction recovery tools work best for you. Having recovery tools that you are familiar with and that you know work when you're struggling, is the key to successful addiction recovery (Coping Skills for Mental Health and Wellbeing). For me, there are several tools that I turn to when I am having a hard time or feeling down. I'd like to share the ones that work for me and then find out which addiction recovery tools work for you.

My Addiction Recovery Toolbox

Like anyone else's, my recovery has its ups and downs. Even though I feel like I am deeply rooted in sobriety and I no longer have the desire to drink, I know that if I allow myself to become complacent or stop working my recovery program, I could easily fall back into my old coping behaviors and that included drinking (Impulse Control and New Coping Skills in Addiction Recovery). I don't want that to happen, so I try to be self-aware, try not to stuff or avoid my emotions, and I spend time with other people in recovery. Those are just a few of the things in my addiction recovery toolbox. Here are some others that work for me:

• H.A.L.T.: If you're in recovery, it's likely that you've heard about taking action when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (H.A.L.T.). When I am feeling any of those four, my thinking is not at its best. I am grouchy and I want something to make me feel better--all things that can easily contribute to relapse, especially in early sobriety. It's a pretty easy fix when I can recognize that one of those four things is getting me down. Having a meal, being forgiving, talking to someone, or taking a nap can make me feel better almost instantly.
• Prayer or meditation: Slowing my thoughts down enough to pray or meditate is almost always helpful when I am overwhelmed or depressed. It gets me out of my head and has a way of putting things into perspective.
• Downtime: I have found that sometimes I need a full stop when I feel like things are out of control. For me, that may mean taking a long nap, a relaxing bath, or even canceling plans and having a mental health day. There's a fine line, though, between taking some downtime and avoiding unpleasant aspects of life. So I have to be careful when I decide to put off responsibilities and make sure that I am doing so for the right reasons.
• Writing: Journaling is a huge benefit to me. I started writing in a journal when I got sober and I haven't stopped. It's therapeutic and calming to write down my thoughts, feelings, and fears on paper. Sometimes that's all it takes to make me feel better.
• Acceptance: When I am feeling upset or down about something, it sometimes means that I am just not in acceptance about whatever the issue is. If it's something that I have no control over or no ability to change, I try to become accepting of it as quickly as I can. It's not easy to do, but it does help me (What Does Accepting and Letting Go of Anxiety Mean?).
• Support system: Probably the best tool in my addiction recovery toolbox is my support system. For me, it includes my husband (he is also in recovery), my sponsor, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and other friends both in and out of recovery. I know that if I go to someone in my support system, I won't be judged or misunderstood. I'm safe to express my feelings and fears and ask for help or advice.

Which Tools Do You Use in Your Addiction Recovery?

There are so many tools out there for those of us in addiction recovery to choose from. I am interested in hearing which ones work for you. Please comment about the tools in your addiction recovery toolbox. I know that it will be helpful to me, and you may help many others who are struggling with addiction recovery.

Find Jami on Facebook, on Twitter, and on her blog, Sober Grace.