When you come to life after addiction rehab, you may discover that there are gaping holes in your life that feel like a bottomless pit. You likely struggle with low self-esteem or want to avoid those bad feelings, but that is a trap that got you into addiction in the first place. Drugs and alcohol are not going to fill the void no matter what you might think. It is up to you to fill it with positive things and work towards healing this part of your life after rehab.

Grieve

It is important to mourn the loss of past addiction. For a time, the addiction seemed like the only thing you had in your life. Perhaps it was, for a time. When you needed it, it was there to help you ‘get through’ the ugly stuff in life. It helps to recognize the loss for what it is and grieve. Only then will it be time to replace that loss with other things that can get you from day-to-day and stay sober.

Watch for Boredom

Boredom is a dangerous feeling for people with addiction. It gives time to think, to let your mind wander, and it may even trigger a relapse. If you keep busy all day, every day, you are less likely to feel the negative effects of boredom. Staying busy and finding new interests may take a little bit of work but eventually you fill the void and learn how to navigate life differently.

Finding Hope

One of the best ways to fill a void is to re-establish old friendships that may have been lost on the road to addiction. If you surround yourself with people who care about you, then you feel that love and support which propels you forward. Mend fences with loved ones and start to find a new way forward. Some other things you can do to help find hope in this difficult journey is:

  • Do crossword puzzles
  • Make a blog
  • Volunteer
  • Play sports
  • Learn to cook
  • Maintain realistic expectations

Finding positive ways to fill the void following rehab can be difficult at first. It takes practice to figure out how to navigate this part of the recovery journey and learn to heal. The void that, at first, felt immense, now starts to lessen with each day and with practice. The more time you spend focusing on finding new hobbies, hanging out with friends, and creating space for spiritual and physical practices like exercise and yoga you may discover some light and hope to keep moving forward.

The Springboard Center’s addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each client. By utilizing a set of diverse methods of addiction treatment, we are able to deal with your addiction from all angles and concentrate on every aspect of your healing process. It is important to recognize that many of our services offer a group setting and environment, so that the client spends time with other people affected by the same chronic disease and problems. 432-620-0255