5 Steps to Start your Recovery Journey

Whether this is your first time or you're here to try again, here are 5 tips to start your recovery journey:

1. Patience- Be patient with yourself and the process. It takes time to get to know who you are what you are looking to accomplish. If you are looking to cut down, start with having 1 less drink that night. If you are having a hard time figuring out what that looks like, perhaps limiting yourself to a certain number can help. And if you find yourself unable to figure out a good number or not realize what number you are on, try to take a 48 hour break. Often times it's easier to realize our relationship when we go without it for a bit. If 48 hours didn't seem that bad, try a full week and keep going from there. One day at a time.

2. Rest- There will be days when you don't want to leave your house. You don't have to. Rest is essential in the first few weeks to get your body to reset. The biggest things that helped me was going straight to bed after work for a few days. You don't have to fall asleep but often times you will because your body needs that time to recover. When in doubt, rest!

3. Support- Find a support system to help with cravings and who checks in regularly. Consistency and community are essential. Feeling like you are apart of something greater than yourself can help take the attention away from the cravings. If you aren't sure where to go, look up an AA meeting near you. There are even virtual ones you can attend and you don't have to say anything. Just sit back, listen, and be apart of the community.

4. Boundaries- One of the hardest things to do is say NO. Learn when you start to feel uncomfortable and when to excuse yourself. Your friends might complain about you leaving too soon, but you will NOT regret it the next day. Chances are they won't even remember when you left and you get to wake up clear headed the next day.

5. Honesty- Be honest with yourself and others. If you make plans to meet up, follow through. If you say you will check in, do it. If you have cravings, be honest and reach out. The best way to recovery is to be true to yourself. If this life is not what you want anymore, you need to be honest and intentional with the life you do want.

These are the 5 steps that helped me start my recovery journey. Everyone is different and might not use all 5 when they start. Do what makes you comfortable but do something. It never hurts to reach out. It never hurts to show up. It never hurts to be present and aware of what you need. Only YOU can do what you need, but allow others to help when they ask.