Tips to Stay Clean, Focused & Grateful After a Medical Detox

When people are addicted to opiates and alcohol and want to get clean, a huge hurdle is the body’s actual physical addiction the withdrawal symptoms are extremely unpleasant, even potentially dangerous. Medical detox is a powerful tool to help addicts reach sobriety. If you're trying to manage all of the effects that are associated with withdrawal from drug use, then medical detox can help you significantly.

Your primary objective after medical detox is to remain 100 percent clean. To do that you need to make significant changes. Addiction to substance is only ½ of the problem, the other half is the lifestyle. If you're committed to getting your existence back on track post-detox, it’s imperative that you break the patterns the previous lifestyle that got you there.

Check out these 8 strategies to get your personal life back on track after leaving a medical detox facility. Incorporating these strategies will help keep you focused, grateful and most importantly - clean.

1. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences

It can be hard to return to normalcy after the outpatient life. If you've just spent a significant chunk of your life in rehab, it may be difficult for you initially to get reacquainted with things. The good news is that spending quality time in the company of people who are positive influences can go a long way. Surround yourself with friends and family members who aren't negative influences on you and who won't lure you back to the "dark side." Steer clear of people who make you feel susceptible to relapsing and to all of its detrimental consequences.

2. Take Advantage of Medical Detox Resources

There are all sorts of resources out there for people who are going through the medical detox process. If you want to take full advantage of them, it can help to speak to treatment facility representatives who are on hand. They may be able to point you into the direction of professionals who can help you enter a new and healthy phase of your life. Medical detox resources can often be game-changers for people who want to say farewell to addiction and to all of its hazards.

3. Prioritize Healthy Eating

Addiction is essentially the polar opposite of health. If you're addicted to any kind of substance, you can barely concentrate on anything other than your obsession. If you want to stay far away from urges, relapses and the like, it can help to prioritize your wellness. You can do so by concentrating on consuming a healthy and well-rounded diet day in and day out. Speak with a dietitian or a nutritionist who can help you put together a balanced dietary approach. It may be a terrific idea to eat lots of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. The sturdier you are, the easier it will be for your body to bounce back after medical detox. A strong diet can also do a lot for your mental state, believe it or not.

4. Begin an Exercise Routine

Exercise can do wonders for people who want to attain full clarity. If you want to revel in the gift of mental clarity, you should begin a physical fitness regimen. You may want to start jogging around your neighborhood each morning. Park jogs may be a fantastic idea, too. It may even help to sign up for a membership with a fitness center. If you're particularly committed to getting in shape and remaining that way for life, you may want to hire a seasoned and capable personal trainer. Personal trainers can teach you about exercises that can tone your body and help you feel stronger and livelier than ever before. They can talk to you about the appropriate use of cardiovascular machines such as treadmills and elliptical trainers as well. Don't forget to ask about resistance training.

5. Seek Therapy

Speaking with a therapist can do a lot for people who want to remain on track after medical detox. Returning to normal life can be a lot for people to take. It can be difficult to get back into the swing of a daily routine. If you want to be able to cope with your new existence, counseling sessions with a tried and tested therapist can be priceless. Try to find a therapist who has a lot of experience aiding people who have been through the ups and downs of addiction. The more specialized your therapist is, the easier it will be for him or her to help you soar and say goodbye to problematic urges and risk factors.

6. Start a Rewarding Hobby

Hobbies can do so much for people who want to bounce back in life. If you're trying to get through medical detox, then it can help to keep your mind off things. How can you keep your mind off of your problems? You can do so by taking initiative and starting a rewarding hobby. Look for a hobby or pastime that's enriching and beneficial, too. It may be wise to start learning an entirely new language. It may be wise to start taking gourmet cooking courses at a local community college. The options are basically endless. The aim should be to stop fixating on things that are detrimental. It should also be to put your time and energy into things that can move you forward.

7. Change Your Career Path

People who are trying to remain clean often benefit greatly from major adjustments in life. If you want to forget all about a problematic chapter in your existence, it may do a lot for your spirts to change everything. It may help to change your career path. You can do so by searching for new positions. You can even apply to degree programs that may help you with your new vocation. If you're currently a student, you can consider changing to a different degree program. Looking at life from a brand new viewpoint may prove to be extremely refreshing.

8. Talk to Other People Who Know Exactly How You Feel

It can be easy to fall into the rut of assuming that no one else on the planet understands how you feel. If you want to dodge feelings of alienation and isolation after medical detox, it may be smart to reach out to other people who know exactly how you feel. They may be able to offer you effective suggestions that can help you remain on the straight and narrow.

Be Kind to Yourself

Recovering from addiction to Suboxone, Hydrocodone, Xanax, Fentanyl or opioids can be one of the toughest things you ever try. If you want to shine after medical detox, you need to be kind to yourself. Don't panic if things don't come easily to you at first. Time is your best friend. Your aim should be to take things one day at a time. It should be to remember how lucky you are to be alive as well.