Conflict is inevitable. Recovery does not promise a life free of conflict. Instead, recovery offers tools for adapting to the conflicts life might present. Each conflict will be different, but these four essential guides will navigate conflict’s choppy waters and take you to calmer shores.
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Staying In Gratitude: Gratitude is a practice for positivity and thankfulness by finding appreciation for everything in life. Without gratitude for everything recovery brings it is too easy to find gratitude instead for all of the perceived benefits addiction once brought. Forgetting to remember the difficult times of addiction can make the past seem more alluring than the present, particularly when there isn’t any gratitude for the present. Recovery is full of challenges which are never without great reward. Have gratitude for the good and the bad, it is all part of the journey.
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Staying Away From Guessing: Asking “What If” is a slippery slope into an unending “rabbit hole”. Depression, it is often said, can be caused by spending too much time in the past. Ruminating about what could have been, or what would have happened if wastes precious time in the present and causes undue emotional stress. What has happened has happened. Likewise, anxiety is often described as living too far in the future. Causing stress and anxiety over what hasn’t happened yet by asking what will be and what will happen also spends priceless present moments. What will be, will be. Maintaining positive presence in recovery is the way to live life as it happens, in a natural flow.
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Keeping Healthy Boundaries: Healthy boundaries are the invisible lines which create jurisdiction for what is and what is not allowed according to personal needs. Boundaries can be effected through communication, nonverbal communication and self reflection. To set boundaries, it is important to first understand needs, wants, and where boundaries need to be set.
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Keeping Balance: Maintaining healthy boundaries is one of the best ways to keep balance. Balance can also be maintained in other areas, like diet and exercise, sleep and rest, work and relaxation, recovery and non-recovery activities, and more. Taking personal time, spending time with others, and tending to all of life’s demands in due time make for a balanced life.
Castle Craig has proudly served over 10,000 patients for over 25 years with proven treatment programmes for addiction and associated mental health issues. Our high rates of success and satisfaction testify the life changing work and healing done here at Castle Craig. For information, please call our 24 hour free confidential phone-line: 01721 546 263. From outside the UK please call: +44 808 271 7500 (normal charges apply).
