Adopting a Recovery Mindset

Published On: November 24, 20204.2 min read834 wordsCategories: Addiction Treatment And Rehab

If you are tired of living with a substance abuse problem, choosing to seek treatment can be one of the most important, most life-changing – and potentially most difficult – decisions you will ever make. Taking that first step toward recovery by choosing a drug and alcohol treatment center takes a lot of courage, while the treatment process itself takes both dedication and hard work.

But the reward of successfully completing an addiction treatment program can make all the effort worthwhile, especially when you are able to regain your quality of life and maintain sobriety long-term.

What you need to successfully face recovery

Hard work is only one of many different elements that make addiction rehab successful. In addition to perseverance, you also have to possess the right mindset and attitude – you have to want recovery.

It is a well-known fact that people change only when they want to. No matter how hard you try, you can’t force someone to change their mind about their favorite book, where the best place to vacation is or what comfort food is superior – you can dialogue with them about how french fries are far better than macaroni and cheese, but unless they choose to believe that french fries are better, no amount of arguing or convincing will change them.

The same is absolutely true for addiction recovery: unless someone wants to change their lifestyle, their perspective and their choices surrounding addiction, they won’t be motivated to do anything different. If they do desire this change for themselves, however, and take the steps necessary to live life differently, they will find that achieving their goal is much more obtainable. To put it simply, it all comes down to mindset.

If you begin treatment with the right mindset, you’ll be much more open to the process, and recovery in general. Having the right mindset means you won’t feel as combative or defensive when faced with the consequences of your choices. Hopefully, with a mindset of humility, acceptance and a desire for better things to come, you will find the challenges of recovery easier to handle.

Benefits of having the right mindset in recovery

There are lots of benefits to keeping a positive attitude. And, on the other hand, there are just as many consequences of focusing on the negative. One will obviously benefit your recovery, while the other will add to the list of already difficult challenges.

A positive outlook will help with:

  • Completing your treatment program more easily
  • Having a greater chance of staying clean and sober during and after treatment
  • Following through on post-treatment outpatient care with more purpose
  • Fostering the desire to learn as much as you can while in treatment
  • Making the necessary lifestyle changes more quickly to prevent relapse
  • Understanding the importance of taking responsibility for the choices you make sooner

However, focusing on the negative, and failing to be grateful for treatment may result in:

  • A greater likelihood to drop out of treatment prematurely
  • Gaining little knowledge from treatment while you’re there
  • Falling back into old bad habits much more quickly
  • Increasing the chance of relapsing once you leave rehab
  • Blaming everyone else for your situation instead of taking responsibility for your choices
  • Alienating your loved ones who are trying to support you

Having negative thoughts about recovery is not bad, nor does it mean you’ve failed. It is natural to have moments of negativity during treatment — the important part is remembering to curb negativity when you feel it arises and strive to focus on the things you can be grateful for instead.

How to get in the right mindset

So how do you find and achieve this positive outlook? How, when everything seems grim, do you redirect and look at the positive?

  • Recognize your value as a person, and that you deserve a better life — journal about this
  • Understand that there are big changes coming — take time to reflect on how you want to respond to them
  • Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people who support you
  • Keep a gratitude journal where you write down three things you were grateful for during the day
  • Practice positive self-talk and minimize demoralizing, demeaning thoughts about yourself and your abilities

Recovery is possible for you, no matter how long you’ve been battling addiction. Once you recognize that recovery is challenging and requires you to overcome many obstacles, you can take the steps necessary to formulate the right mindset and set you on the right track towards freedom and success.

Take the first step towards sobriety today

It’s never too late to start over and start living better. If you’re ready to get healthy again, it starts with getting sober first. Although asking for help can seem like the most difficult decision, once you make it, you’ll have a team of professionals on your side to help you take your first steps. Contact our Freedom Detox team online or by phone at (800) 475-2312 to learn more about our treatment programs and get the help you need today.

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