Avoiding the Temptation to Use This Summer

Beach parties, outdoor music festivals, barbecues — tis the season for additional triggers and temptations, but don’t fret. You can enjoy the summer season and safeguard your recovery with the following tips:  

• Identify your triggers. Understanding which triggers can derail your recovery will help you better stick to your recovery plan this summer. In general, a trigger can be any person, situation or thing that leads to cravings or a slip up. And this can also include difficult emotions like anxiety or depression. 
• Focus on your health. Just because it’s summer, it doesn’t mean you can take a vacation from your recovery must-dos. This means doing your best to stick to a normal sleep and exercise schedule, eat a healthy, well-rounded diet and manage stress.
• Connect with sober friends. Take the time to hang out with sober friends during the summer, whether you grab a quick coffee, go for a long walk or meet up at the beach. You’ll be more relaxed and less likely to relapse if you surround yourself with other people who support and understand your sobriety. 
• Try something new. Have you always wanted to write a blog or try yoga on the beach or experiment with a cute summer craft project you’ve been eyeing on Pinterest? Summertime is the perfect time to tackle a fun, sober project or hobby that keeps you busy and makes you feel good about you and your hard-won sobriety.

Summertime at Complete Harmony

The summer season is the perfect time to begin your journey toward lifelong sobriety. At Complete Harmony, we help you explore your own recovery journey while learning to heal relationships and build a sober social network. For more information about our cutting edge treatments, call today: 866-930-4673.

Steps for a Safe and Sober Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend is here and you deserve to have a little fun — you just need to make sure it's sober fun! Here are a few tips and tricks to avoid temptation and relapse.

• Prioritize self-care. This means doing your best to eat well, stick to a regular sleep schedule and exercise routine. These seemingly simple self-care acts will help you stay strong and make smart decisions this weekend.
• Be prepared. Readying yourself for a social event involves several pre-party steps. First, you’ll need to identify your personal triggers and make sure you have an exit strategy in place should you need to flea the scene. Also, consider preparing responses for any awkward questions like "Why aren’t you drinking?" Figure out what you are (and aren’t) comfortable sharing. You can just say something simple like: “I don’t feel like drinking." Experts also recommend carrying around a glass of water with lemon or lime so know one even notices. 
• Create a gratitude list. Whether you jot down a few reasons why you’re so grateful to be in recovery in the notes section of your smartphone or write it on a piece a paper and slip it into your pocket, a simple list can be a powerful reminder of why you’re fighting so hard to stay sober. 
• Remember to breath. Excuse yourself and focus on your breathing for a few minutes to slow down any negative thoughts or tame any cravings.
• Enlist a sober friend. You’ll never regret a little extra support, especially if you’re attending a social event where alcohol may be involved. Try to stay close to your trusted friend or, at the very least, have a meeting spot and exit plan in place if things become too overwhelming.

A Chance at Lasting Recovery

At Complete Harmony, we utilize cutting-edge addiction treatment and holistic therapies to offer you the best chance for a lasting recovery. Our goal is to find the underlying causes of your addiction so you can learn the strategies and tools you need to avoid relapse and addiction transfer. Call 866-930-4673 to speak with our dedicated enrollment team about your personalized recovery options.