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How to Form a Legacy

April 28, 2017 2:24 PM Leave a Comment

This much is certain – everyone wants to leave a positive legacy. An individual’s legacy is something much bigger than themselves. It has the potential to live on and impact many other lives. An individual in recovery has the potential to choose a legacy of sobriety rather than slipping back into their past addictive behavior.

So what would the individual leave behind if they were to die tomorrow? What would people say about them? Did the individual make other people’s lives better or worse? Do their children have solid values? Any and all of these things matter and if the answer is no to most of them, then now is the time to begin correcting their legacy.

What is Someone’s Legacy?

There are many things that can motivate the individual to turn to sobriety in the face of the overwhelming challenges that drug or alcohol addiction brings. But the most important aspect of all might be what is the individual leaving behind? That might be the cornerstone of their effort towards recovery.

A lot of people might think their legacy is their children or the wealth they leave for future generations. But it’s more than that. A legacy is a mark left on the world. Everyone has something to offer to the collective tribe of humanity. And sobriety can leave a legacy.

Making a Choice to Be the Best Possible Version of Oneself

By choosing to remain sober instead of falling back on old habits, the individual chooses to be physically and mentally healthy. This change can allow them to pursue an entirely new lifestyle, where they are not drunk or high. Instead they can be present and fully aware of everything that is going on around them. The individual can be a better parent, spouse, friend and generally a better person, now that they are no longer under the influence.

Using Sobriety to Help Others with Addiction

Once the individual is sober they can turn their negative experiences with addiction and substance abuse into a positive by helping other individuals who are struggling with addiction. For example, the individual who is in recovery for alcoholism may want to speak with students about the dangerous and unsafe behavior related to alcohol. Or the individual might decide to serve others as a sponsor in Alcoholics Anonymous or be a mentor to a friend in need.

The individual understands the challenges of alcoholism firsthand so they are able to provide valuable insight and knowledge to help others with their disease.

At the end of the day, when the individual makes the decision to improve their health and life, they often gain an understanding of their mortality. Leaving behind a legacy that is not tarnished by addiction will be one that offers something valuable to those who come after.

Sustain Recovery provides a safe, structured environment for adolescents to learn about living substance free. To learn more about the elements of transitioning to sober living, contact us about our programs and how it can help you.

How to Get Motivated in Sobriety

April 25, 2017 2:13 PM Leave a Comment

The process of recovery is an enigma unto itself. It can be very fickle. The individual in recovery may have a solid plan to go forward and stay sober, and yet will find that sometimes they are stuck. There is no way forward. This could be because they are caught in the daily grind, or bogged down with obligations and responsibilities. And it can happen regardless of how long the individual has been sober.

When the individual finds themselves to be stuck, they may start thinking about their substance abuse and how they miss the effects it provided. This is when there is a high chance of relapse. Going to the 12 Step support group can be a huge help at this time. The support group is a great motivator and has many tools for individuals in recovery, including motivational sayings. Let’s look at some of them here.

One Day At A Time

Easily the most well known and most common recovery quote, it is heard in support group meetings everywhere. Individuals in the early stages of recovery can find themselves overwhelmed and even frightened at the thought of never using alcohol or drugs again. This may divert their focus and the saying ‘one day at a time’ is meant for just these sorts of situations. It is to remind the individual that they only need to focus on and get through the present day.

HALT

Standing for Hunger, Anger, Loneliness and Tired, HALT is a familiar acronym for those individuals in recovery. These are four very powerful states of being, and can be the triggers that cause the individual to relapse. When the individual feels any of those emotions or states, they most likely feel the urge to use substances again to cope with what they’re feeling. Asking themselves questions like why do they feel the urge to use again, why are they angry and why they are reacting the way they are, will uncover the underlying reasons. Understanding the reasons is the key for the individual to be aware of their actions and stop harmful behavior.

Progress Not Perfection

Often individuals in recovery feel the need to be perfect. No matter how far they may have come in their journey to lasting sobriety, it may never be good enough. As a result, they set themselves up for failure, because of unrealistic expectations. Reminding themselves that recovery is a journey and not a race, and that small victories should be enjoyed can bring the individual back to their path, and continue taking small steps forward.

These are just a few of the motivational sayings the individual can repeat to themselves to stay focused on the path to sobriety.

Sustain Recovery offers gender separate, extended stay programs for adolescents. Contact us to find out how we can help your transition to sober living.

The people at Sustain Recovery are truly passionate about their work. They put all their love, energy and spiritual strength in to it. They continue to support me today as I continue my ongoing journey in my personal recovery. I now have over a year of sobriety, my own apartment, a job, true friends and a support network that is always available to me. Although all that stuff is great, what matters most today is that I love myself and have the ability to love others. Thank you to all who had a hand and heart in Sustain Recovery

Jenn