Taking Recovery at Your Own Pace
Your recovery journey will not be like anyone else’s. No two recovery journeys are exactly alike because every person has different recovery needs. Some variables may include where you are on the substance use spectrum, your socioeconomic background, and the type of support system you have. During your recovery journey, try not to compare yourself to others, and take your recovery at your own pace. This could mean staying longer in an inpatient program or seeking different types of aftercare programs. You have to take the steps in your recovery that feel right for you.
Discovering Your Own Pace
You might not fully understand your recovery needs until you are in a treatment program. Even then, your needs could change, causing you to stay at an inpatient program longer or seek different types of aftercare treatment. During your recovery journey, you must make the time to regularly check in with yourself. Ask yourself if your recovery needs or goals have changed. Think about the next steps you want to take to meet those needs or reach those goals.
You might decide to seek different forms of treatment, try different types of support groups, or even recommit yourself to an inpatient program. If you are unsure of what next step to take in your recovery, discuss it with a mental health professional. They might be able to shed some perspective on your recovery needs or suggest a treatment option that you would never have thought of on your own.
Healing at Your Own Pace
Part of your recovery journey will include healing from your past. You’ll need to heal from the mistakes that you’ve made that hurt others and the mistakes that other people have made that hurt you. Healing takes time, so you must be patient with yourself and others. Give your loved ones the space they need to heal at their own pace. The healing process will look different for everyone. For some people, it may take years to heal old wounds, while other people may be quicker to forgive.
To heal, you need time to process your emotions and reprocess the memory of the hurtful event. Some people may do this by journaling, while other people may be more confrontational. Whatever a person’s healing process is, you have to respect the emotional and physical boundaries they put up, and they, in turn, must also respect yours. During your recovery, you may harbor anger and resentment toward yourself. These wounds also need time for healing as you reevaluate your relationship with your sense of self. It’s okay to be unsure of yourself. The journey of healing is just as important as the destination.
Aftercare Treatment at Your Own Pace
There are various types of aftercare treatment to consider after the completion of inpatient treatment. You might be searching for another type of treatment program or you may be ready to get back to your home and live on your own. Wherever you go, you must set up a support system that includes mental health professionals, peers from support groups, and close friends and family to help you when life throws a curve ball. There is no right or wrong step to take after completing an intensive inpatient program. The next step in your recovery is all up to you.
Sober Living Homes
One aftercare treatment option is enrolling in a sober living home. Sober living homes can be the perfect transitional step from inpatient treatment to living on your own or embracing full-time family responsibilities. A sober living home is a residential recovery community with access to mental health professionals. Often, people in sober living facilities share household responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and other chores. Sober living can give you independence while mitigating other obstacles you’d have to face outside of the treatment bubble.
One benefit of staying in a sober living home is that it helps removes the temptation of using substances by banning them from your home. You won’t have to figure out how to navigate social drinking or have to explain your sobriety to someone. Sober living homes also allow you to form deep and meaningful bonds with your peers. In doing so, you will gain friendships you can rely on even once you decide to leave the sober living home, strengthening your support network.
Outpatient Treatment
Most people who complete inpatient treatment programs will seek outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment can refer to any type of treatment where you do not stay overnight at the treatment center. Usually, this means receiving treatment on a weekly or biweekly basis. This may include individual therapy or group therapy.
Going through recovery at your own pace means being aware of the type of mental health support you may need. Your recovery doesn’t end upon completing an inpatient program. Once you’re ready to leave the inpatient program, you must be diligent about your next steps.
Your recovery is a personal journey, and only you can decide the next steps that are right for you in your recovery process. At Restoration Recovery Centers, we encourage clients to take their recovery at their own pace. You are welcome to stay in our inpatient program for long as long as you need to feel prepared and emotionally ready for the next step. We also offer a variety of aftercare programs, such as intensive outpatient treatment and sober living to help ease your transition into independent living. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call (888) 290-0925 to learn how Restoration Recovery Centers can help you restore your life’s purpose and heal from addiction.
