6 Pillars of Recovery
Getting clean is one thing. Staying clean is another. This post outlines the 6 most crucial components to lasting recovery.
My recovery has not been a conventional one. I’ve never worked the 12 steps or completed a rehabilitation program, but I have filled my life with meaning and success and learned how I need to care for myself to stay healthy.
6 has always been my number. It’s no surprise that I can identify no less than 6 components of recovery that I believe saved my life, kept me in recovery, and led me to the life that I have today.
I can’t tell you how to get clean. That path is unique to everyone and often forced upon us, but I can share some of the most important things that kept me there.
Purpose- After I was released from prison, I was sentenced to a stay in a halfway house. It was at that time that I became pregnant with my first child (classy baby story, I know!). I bonded quickly with my baby and my promise to him is what has kept me strong.
A purpose gives us something to live for, something to try for, and something to put ahead of ourselves. I don’t believe that anyone will get clean if they cannot identify a reason to do so. Developing purpose is a key component of recovery. It is what keeps us going when nothing else can. If you don’t currently have purpose in your life, that is okay! I promise you, your purpose is out there just waiting for you to find it!
Support- Recovery is hard. Especially early recovery. When you are rebuilding a new life from the ground up, it helps to have someone backing you. My parents and siblings were amazing supports to me and I would not be here if they had turned their backs on me.
Support can come from family members, but it doesn’t have to. Support meetings are amazing! The folks there are typically very welcoming, will give rides, spend holidays, or talk you off the ledge for hours if need be. There are frequent meetings available in nearly every city and AA/NA are far from your only option these days.
Online support groups are another wonderful resource. Some bonus’ are that support is available to you 24/7, it can be easier to open up over the keyboard, and there are a ton to choose from.
Adventure- Once I realized that I had the whole world at my fingertips and I was free to explore it, I did! I swam with dolphins, climbed mountains, and dove with sting rays! There are a lot of reasons why you don’t want to bore yourself in early recovery. The drastic change from the wild days of addiction to that of sober living may leave recovery feeling undesirable to some. Keeping adventure at the top of your list might just help keep you from craving the excitement of the old days.
Additionally, depression in early recovery can be common and boosting dopamine levels with adventures is a great way to reduce cravings and low-mood. It also gives you something to look forward to and helps you determine what hobbies and interest float your boat nowadays.
Success/Goals- I began working toward my degree straight out the gate after I was released from prison. That kept me motivated and busy during the early days of recovery. Additionally, once I began to see successes from my hard work, I became kind of addicted.
I signed up for certification programs left and right. I became certified in crisis counseling, substance abuse, reiki, and nutrition. If you’ve ever spent time in jail or on probation, you know how it feels to be degraded. These successes, no matter how small, helped me feel powerful and worthy. They kept me motivated to continue working for more and more, thus leading me to this incredible life.
Get some successes under your belt. Sign up to learn a skill you’ve always wanted to learn, finish a book you started forever ago, do a DIY project, an online class, whatever it is, no matter how big or small, just set some goals and use your newfound free time to smash them.
Isolation- This is a big one. Probably one of the most important in my opinion. I kept to myself during the first few years of my recovery. I worked, attended school, and took care of my baby. I literally did nothing else and I was not interested in socializing because I was so busy. My extreme form of isolation is not the healthiest and it is not for everyone. I do recommend finding sober supports to connect with, however, changing your people, places, and things, is crucial.
Early recovery is volatile and you don’t want to give yourself any ammunition to use. Changing your people, places, and things reduces our exposure, triggers, cravings, and offers and it is mandatory in early recovery if you hope to succeed.
You’ve heard the saying, “misery loves company?” What about, “people throw rocks at things that shine?” The only time in my life I’ve been offered free dope from my buddies was my first day out of treatment. They’re your friends and you believe they want the best for you, but I can promise you as sure as I stand here today that they will try to drag you back down into the fold. The better you do, the harder evil will try to stop you. Avoid them for a while. Once you get stronger in your recovery you can return to them, but you may be surprised to find that you no longer want to.
Spirituality- I spent a lot of time hiking alone in early recovery. If I became overwhelmed or stressed, into the trees I would go. I hiked and meditated and for a while, reached another level of existence that was pure contentment. My spirituality allowed me to feel content with where I was at, even if it wasn’t perfect. It allowed me an outlet when I felt emotional, and it contributed to helping me find my purpose and my new identity.
Developing your own spiritual practice can have numerous benefits. Meditation, gratitude practices, and time in nature have all been scientifically proven to make positive chemical changes in the brain. They can increase dopamine which decreases cravings and improves mood. Spirituality and religion are not the same thing, however, I encourage anyone with religious practices to call on them as well to support your recovery.
Since I’m on a roll with the idioms this week, I’m going to add “you are who you hang with” to the list. Finding sober support is crucial whether you are one day or twenty years into recovery. That’s why I created the Freedom Fam, on online recovery community. I’d love to see you inside the group! Sign up below.