For most people, the journey of change that goes with overcoming substance use or gambling problems doesn’t end when they stop drinking, using other drugs or gambling. It’s a lifelong journey.
If you’ve made it to this point in your own journey, congratulations. You’ve achieved something to be proud of. Here are some tips to help you keep living free from the harmful effects of alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
Things you may be saying to yourself
- “Six months and still sober. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.”
- “I sometimes miss the old drug scene, but that’s not who I am now.”
- “I get tempted to smoke once in awhile, but I’ve come too far to go back now.”
- “I still get the urge to gamble, but it’s been getting easier to deal with over time.”
Things you can do
- Be confident in your ability to make your change permanent, but be wary of overconfidence. Tempting situations will happen, and you’ll have to deal with them when they do. But it can be very risky to expose yourself to temptation on purpose, just to prove you can resist it.
- Continue developing healthy lifestyle habits like eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep. These are some of the best things you can do to help yourself succeed in the long run.
- Keep on celebrating milestones in your new life. For example, you might treat yourself to a nice dinner for every month you keep your change going. Or you might take your family on a vacation with the money you’ve saved from not gambling for a year.
- Think about joining a mutual support group like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Gamblers Anonymous.
- Whether or not you’ve joined a support group, think about helping someone who is at the start of their change journey. Being a role model and an inspiration for others is one way you can keep learning and growing in your own life.
- If you have a relapse into your old behaviour, stay positive. A relapse is not a failure. It’s a normal part of recovery for many people, and it can teach you things about yourself that will help you prevent it from happening again.
How AADAC can help
- Many AADAC treatment programs have an “aftercare” component that includes follow-up support after you leave the program. Research from AADAC and other organizations shows that this kind of follow-up can make a big difference in helping people maintain the changes they make during their treatment.
- We offer information resources for people who are working on keeping their change going. Check out the links below, browse the other information on aadac.com, or visit your local AADAC office to see what’s available.
- Remember that you can talk to a counsellor anytime. Even people who haven’t used substances or gambled in years may have a hard time dealing with stressful life events like changing careers, retiring or losing a loved one. Getting professional help is always a good idea.
- Your local AADAC office can also help you get involved in your community by supporting others and joining in local activities and events.
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