For those of us in recovery, every day of the year is reason enough to acknowledge and celebrate our newfound lifestyle and wellness. Luckily enough, there happens to also be an entire month out of the year that focuses on acknowledgment and celebration of this! Read on to learn how you can explore your own wellness during National Recovery Month.
For those of us in recovery, every day of the year is reason enough to acknowledge and celebrate our newfound lifestyle and wellness. Luckily enough, there happens to also be an entire month out of the year that focuses on acknowledgment and celebration of this!
Since 1989, September has been deemed as “National Recovery Month”; a time where those who are in recovery, their loved ones, and treatment providers, come together to bring attention to the importance of the cause, as well as providing education and empathy to those who are in need of services. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the primary organization associated with recovery and its treatment services, there are four main domains that accompany recovery and require reflection during this month:
Your health and overall physical wellness
Your living environment and if it is conducive to pursuing or maintaining recovery,
Your sense of purpose
The community to which you belong and flourish in
While we often associate the word “recovery” with abstinence from substances, the true definition of recovery does not have to do with substance use at all! Rather, it is a return to a state of wellness prior to a behavior or event that caused consequences.
While this often does include the misuse or overuse of substances, it is not isolated to it. I encourage you to reflect on your own life, and the lives of your loved ones.
Can you identify what behaviors, experiences, or events may have once reduced your wellness but has since improved?
Can you think of any other experiences, such as overconsumption of food or goods, gambling, social media, relationships, etc. that has depleted your wellness?
If you identify a behavior or experience as currently taking away from your wellness, addressing it is something you may want to consider, especially during this month where reflection on recovery is in full view. It is never too late; especially during a time that celebrates recovery and the effort it takes to pursue it!
But Where Do You Start??
Some questions that may assist you in reflecting on an interest to pursue recovery from your behavior(s) are:
Has the behavior been affecting different areas of my life? (Personal, social, occupational, health). If so, in what ways?
Do I struggle to get through the day without the presence of it?
What does my struggle look like? Does it occur through my thoughts? Feelings? Behaviors?
Have I spoken to someone about it? Are there any barriers that would make me not want to share about it with someone? (Feelings of anxiety, shame, fear of judgment…)
Is there anything in my life that would become better if I were to pursue recovery from it?
What are the steps, if any, I need to take to get “in recovery”?
In line with SAMHSA’s four domains, perhaps these are a few exercises which may assist you in your pursuit of self-reflection.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: While this is a fancy way of saying a pros and cons list;, it is truly an effective tool! In the areas of health, environment, purpose, and community, explore the “pros” for maintaining your behavior, and how it would assist you in reaching goals existing within these life areas. Do the same for the “cons”, and how it does not help… which column has more listed in it?
Getting Informed: Whether this is talking to a loved one, friend, or exploring resources online, get educated about the thing that is hindering you from being the best version of yourself. Knowledge is power!
Journaling: Get in touch with what you are feeling: before, during, and after participating in it. What emotions come up for each of these stages? How do you feel when reflecting on it?
These questions for reflection and the exercises that accompany them can certainly be of assistance in your initial understanding and exploration of recovery. This may be one of the many reasons that setting up an appointment today may be the first of many crucial steps in pursuing recovery and returning to a life of wellness you once knew, or would like to get to know. If you or a loved one may be interested in an initial consultation, call us now!
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