Daily Routine Changes in Recovery, Part Two

Yesterday I wrote about things that are important to incorporate into your daily routine when you’re in recovery (even if you’re not, they’re still important). Making those routine changes are much easier said than done. It can be very difficult to set a routine and stick to it, and it may take a long time before you find the routine that works best for you. It’s a lot of trial and error along the way, so it’s essential that you remain a little flexible while you’re creating your schedule.

No matter what, taking care of yourself is the most important part about having a routine. I know as addicts we aren’t used to doing that at all. Our routines do a complete flip from poisoning our bodies with drugs and alcohol to putting our health, safety, and recovery above all else. It’s up to you to decide that you’re going to put yourself and your recovery at the center of your life and create a daily routine around that.

Especially in early recovery, we hear about avoiding “people, places, and things” that we associate with using/drinking. Accomplishing that has a big impact on our lives. If your routine used to consist of you going to the bar after work, you have to change that. If your routine used to include socializing with using buddies, or listening to certain music while you used, or any other rituals associated with using, you have to change to give yourself the best chance at recovery.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can go to that bar like you used to and just order a soda. Maybe you can, but why risk it? Changing your routine so you avoid those “people, places, and things” is essential. Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to change something - for example, you can’t find a new job or move to a new house - which makes it that much more important to concentrate on altering the things you are able to change.

The little changes in routine make such a big difference, too. Just eating breakfast everyday or taking a shower or brushing your teeth twice a day will help you maintain a framework of positivity and stability in your life. Don’t underestimate how important it is to stick to those seemingly small daily routine changes.

If you attend meetings, see a counselor, go to outpatient therapy, or anything else associated with your recovery, make sure it is incorporated into your routine as consistently as possible. Remember that your foundation needs to be stable and strong in order to keep yourself off drugs and alcohol. Recovery-related activities should be things you’re focusing on.

I want to ask you all for your input. What surprising ways has your daily routine changed since you quit using? Do you keep yourself on a routine? How do you do it? I think we can all use the encouragement to keep making sure our health and recovery is at the forefront of our minds and that our daily routines revolve around it. Stay healthy, everyone!

Lisa M. Hann is a freelance writer and author who specializes in addiction recovery. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Temple University. She resides in New Jersey with her son. She has been sober since 2010 and is a Caron PA alum. She is the author of "How to Have Fun in Recovery" and "365 Ways to Have Fun Sober" (available in the Kindle store).