Learning new coping skills is important to recovery from addiction. You cannot cope with life and stress in the same way you did while you were using. This just will not work. You have to learn how to handle stress, family, bills, disappointments, and even happiness in a completely new way. Successful recovery is about implementing a new set of coping skills.

Learning new coping skills begins with having an open mind. You have to be able to acknowledge that the old way of dealing with things is not going to be productive. You should be open to suggestions from your sober friends and your support system, so try to feel comfortable reaching out to your support network.

While you were in active addiction, you used drugs or alcohol to cope with the ups and downs of life. When something upset you, made you sad or happy, your first course of action may have been to use. Alcohol and drugs do provide relief. However, this is just a temporary fix, because addiction has consequences. When the drugs or alcohol leave your system, the problem is still there.

You cannot take away the addiction, which has been your coping tool, and expect that you will succeed. You must replace your old tools with something newer and better. A good first step is to make a list of what your triggers are. Some people find that they use to celebrate or when they are sad. Others have discovered that being around friends who use or certain areas of town are triggering. Once you are able to understand what your triggers to use are, you can take steps to replace substance with healthier alternative.

Start exploring what healthier coping skills may be. Common healthy coping skills are:

• Exercise
• Journaling
• Therapy
• Volunteering
• Spending time with animals
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Picking up a new hobby
• Having fun

The next step is to implement your new coping skills. If you find that you enjoy exercise, writing, painting, or meditating, start doing these activities when you feel triggered. For example, if you crave alcohol after a long week at work, start replacing that after work drink with something that you enjoy like going to the movies or spending time with sober people. Yes, going to meetings and groups is a priority for your recovery. However, having sober fun is just as important as meeting attendance. Instead of reaching for a drink or drug when you are stressed challenge yourself, learn a new language, or pick up a new hobby.

Having an open mind, prioritizing your recovery, handling stress in new ways, and enjoying your life are positive coping skills. Remember to reach out to your sober friends and avoid isolation. They have been where you are before and can help you through hard times.

The Kimberly Center can help you navigate recovery and make it through the Holidays. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER. We are committed to putting you and your recovery first. At the Kimberly Center, you are in safe place.