Staying Well

To keep well you need to make a start in knowing what really matters to you. What makes you happy? What do you enjoy? Building social networks and making an effort into things that we can do for ourselves are important.

The more you have to do the better. You can gradually shut off that ‘automatic pilot’ and get back in the driver’s seat. YOU decide where YOU go! The people who are most successful in staying clean join a self-help group!

Doing healthy activities doesn’t mean a strenuous workout. It can also mean mental activity such as thought and meditation. There are many forms of meditation, including mindfulness training. Learning what makes you happy or sad helps you to get out of ‘automatic pilot’.

Just like exercising a muscle, these activities feel more natural with use. Unless you are ready with a list of ideas to avoid alcohol and drugs, it will be too easy for you to start drinking or using again. Making positive self-statements is a useful tool in preventing us moving backwards.

Saying things to yourself, such as:

“I can get through this”.
“This may be hard, but I’m strong enough to do it”.
“I have achieved so much without using”.