Recovering from alcohol addiction is a tremendous achievement. By working to overcome addiction, you’ve taken positive steps to improve your well-being, take control of your life, and start building healthier relationships.
However, post-recovery life isn’t always easy. There are sure to be setbacks along the way, and you may find that the impact of alcohol dependency stays with you long after you’ve left rehab. This can be frustrating if you’re ready to move forward with your career, relationships, and hobbies.
Rather than falling back into old habits, focus on rebuilding your life post-recovery by practicing self-care, investing in hobbies, and focusing on career development. This will keep you on track to achieve your alcohol recovery goals and will help you lead a healthier, happier life after rehab.
Simple Steps: Hobbies and Self-Care
Engaging in hobbies can do wonders for your mental health. Spending your free time on fun hobbies like reading, writing, weightlifting, or running can help you combat apathy and keep you busy during the time that you may have previously spent in pubs or bars. However, if you lead a busy personal life, you may find it difficult to balance all your interests. Rather than forgoing the fun, learn to balance your hobbies by:
- Assessing Your Priorities: Which hobbies bring you the most joy? Are there some that also boost your health? If so, focus on these as they’re far more likely to sustain your interest in the long-term.
- Say “No”: It’s all too easy to work overtime and spread yourself thin with commitments. Rather than putting unnecessary strain on yourself, learn to say “no” and benefit from increased free time for activities that bring you joy.
- Schedule: Setting aside time for your hobbies is crucial. Block out at least 6 hours a week for your favorite pastimes, and try not to let other responsibilities get in the way.
- Set Goals: Good hobbies have goals attached to them that are deeply motivating and reward your engagement. Set a few achievable goals to deepen your passion for your hobby and stay on the right path.
Balancing your hobbies with your daily life can help you stay on track post-recovery. Even simple changes, like exercising a few times a week, can have a profound impact on your self-esteem and motivation. Just remember to set aside time for your hobbies, and treat the hours you spend at the gym or reading a book as a reward for your hard work post-recovery.
Your hobbies don’t always have to be intense, either. Instead, consider following a self-care regime that helps you relax and unwind after a long day. Taking the time to breathe deeply and embrace your needs can be truly transformative if you’re used to putting others first. Engaging in activities like yoga and mindfulness can increase your self-efficacy and give you the confidence boost you need to pursue career development opportunities.
Big Moves: Education and Career
Recovering from an alcohol addiction is a huge achievement. It’s also a sign that you’re ready to take the next step in your life and achieve some major goals. This can be transformative if alcohol dependence has previously held you back from achieving your career goals. Post-recovery life can be the perfect time to make a career switch, too, as you’ll have greater energy and focus when pursuing a new career.
You can start a new direction and spark a period of growth in your life by applying for internships and first jobs post-recovery. If you are making applications, consider:
- Working with college or rehab counselors to find opportunities that align with your interests
- Gather relevant information for a review from a trusted peer or mentor (resumes, portfolios, cover letters, and transcripts)
- Revise your cover letter to cover key information like your skills, your qualifications, and who you are. You can even write this in a story format, as modern employers want to know the person behind the application.
Making these changes will boost your chances of landing a position that will improve your life. This can help you get excited about life post-recovery and amplify the impact you have on others who are going through a similar journey. Sharing your success and insight in this way can be deeply fulfilling on a personal and professional level.
Accountability
Living a full, successful life post-recovery is all about staying accountable. However, we all have moments of weakness at times. That’s why you may want to use remote alcohol monitoring systems like Soberlink to track your progress and hit your recovery targets.
Soberlink: Proof of Sobriety at Your Fingertips
When indisputable proof of sobriety is needed, there’s no better option than Soberlink. Soberlink’s technology provides accountability and rebuilds trust, especially during those early days of Alcohol Use Disorder recovery.
- Prove Sobriety Anytime, Anywhere: Soberlink uses a discreet and portable, professional-grade breathalyzer designed for convenience and reliable results
- Zero Wait-Time: BAC test results from Soberlink’s breathalyzer are sent immediately to whoever is chosen via text or email
- Data at a Glance: Soberlink’s software uses AI to organize and display all the test results as either green (compliant), yellow (missed), or red (non-compliant) icons
- Know the Right Person is Testing: With a built-in camera and advanced facial recognition, Soberlink automatically verifies the identity, so there’s no way someone else can test for them
- No Room for Cheating: Equipped with sophisticated sensors, Soberlink can detect tampering attempts, including the use of air pumps
Conclusion
Taking steps to stay sober after you’ve been through treatment is both rewarding and challenging. Get the ball rolling by finding some hobbies to boost your self-esteem and occupy the time you would have spent at a bar or pub. This can increase your support network and will help you stay accountable. One effective tool for accountability is Soberlink, a remote alcohol monitoring system that helps you stay on track with your sobriety goals. Spending more time on self-improvement can increase your chances of landing a great job, too, which can bring you a sense of pride and help you inspire others to start their sobriety journey.
