Embracing Life in Recovery

The United States Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health found that about 25 million Americans are in recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol. They go on to state that this number equates to roughly 50% of those who had previously met criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). That’s a lot of people in recovery looking for new, sober ways to have fun and enjoy their substance-free lives. And while sustaining long-lasting recovery takes work, it is well worth it. Establishing a strong foundation in early recovery makes this possible. 

Many in the grips of addiction to alcohol or another substance want relief from the torture and pain that life in addiction is. But once this is achieved and healing begins, a look to the future often occurs. Many people want to know ‘what will I do to have sober fun?” or “is it really possible to have fun in recovery?” or “how do I meet sober friends to have fun with?”. 

It is possible to have fun in recovery. For some people, they will join back in many family, work, and social activities after treatment. For others, they will need to establish almost completely new lives. No matter what, creating new lives full of healthy people, habits, and fun is possible for all. In fact, many people report that they actually have more fun now that they are sober. 

One of the most important steps in creating the life you want in recovery is getting a strong foothold in early sobriety. Early sobriety can be hard. Not only is your body recovering from years of abuse from alcohol or drugs, your mind needs to undergo major changes, your behaviors will have to be adjusted, and much of your ‘default’ programming and reactions need to change too. This takes work, hard work. However, it’s crucial to understand that if you want to live a good life in long-lasting recovery, you must do the work now. It will be well worth it.

A Strong Foothold in Recovery

When it comes to recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol, it’s important to get started on the right foot. This means that you will want to address healing the body, mind, and spirit. For many who are struggling with addiction, they only look at the need to stop using the substance. This is only the first step—one that is critical—but only the first. 

Each person’s story is different and their recovery treatment needs are different as well. The addiction treatment programs and course of action will also vary from person to person. Seeking treatment at an addiction treatment center that meets all of your unique needs is essential. Futures Recovery Healthcare understands how each person’s needs are different. Offering three life-changing addiction treatment programs; Core, Orenda, and Rise, Futures seeks to provide all clients with the most comprehensive and individualized treatment program to give everyone their best shot at recovery. 

And while each of these three programs offers unique program features, clients at Futures enjoy many of the same benefits aimed at helping to heal, create skills, hobbies, and fun lives outside the walls of treatment. 

Treating All Underlying Conditions 

One of the most important aspects of appropriate addiction treatment is the ability to treat not just substance abuse but any other underlying conditions. One of the most common issues clients seeking treatment find is that they have a co-occurring mental health disorder. For many, they are aware of this disorder, for others, they suspect there may be another issue, but for some, the co-occurring mental health disorder was masked by substance abuse. No matter the case, it’s very important for these individuals to get treatment for both the substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the co-occurring mental health disorder.

Futures offers comprehensive mental health care for those who have co-occurring disorders such as depression, PTSD, trauma-related issues, anxiety, and more. When it comes to long term recovery and having the best shot at it, addressing all underlying mental health disorders is crucial. 

In addition to mental health disorders, many in recovery are dealing with chronic pain. Pain is both a cause of and a result of addiction. Healing from addiction helps the body in so many ways but for some, the chronic pain remains. Effectively dealing with and creating courses of treatment to address ongoing pain in a way that works is a tremendous part of an effective addiction treatment program. 

Futures’ chronic pain program is designed to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of pain that contribute to and exacerbate addiction. The program incorporates specialized physical therapy and fitness, cognitive behavioral therapy, graduated narcotic detoxification, and dietary and nutritional consultation. 

When clients address all of these issues such as co-occurring mental health disorders, chronic pain, and more, they have the best chance at long-term recovery. Discovering these issues, treating them effectively while in treatment help to establish comprehensive healing in the body, mind, and spirit. This helps to establish a strong foothold in sobriety as well. 

Family, Alumni, and Support Systems

In addition to the clinical side of recovery it’s vital to heal family relationships, connect with others in sobriety, and begin to see the fun side of recovery. For most people who have had either an AUD or SUD, broken relationships characterize at least some parts of their lives. 

Healing these relationships with family and loved ones is important for all involved. For those in recovery, these relationships can make a big difference in ongoing sobriety. Family and loved ones often are the crucial support systems for individuals in recovery. When addiction treatment incorporates the families of those in treatment into recovery, deep healing can take place. 

Futures understands the significance of healing the family in recovery. Establishing a strong foundation with families from the start, this healing process often begins on day one of treatment. As a natural extension of this spirit of collaboration, families who have a loved one at Futures are invited to come for a two-day Family Intensive. Family members participate in family specific psycho-educational groups, process groups, and therapy sessions with members of the clinical team, including their loved one’s primary therapist. These sessions provide a foundation for family support, further reinforce the connections between Futures and families, and foster the positive healing that accompanies the therapeutic transition from addiction to recovery. 

As individuals build their foundation in recovery, one of the most fundamental elements is establishing a support system for once they leave treatment. Not only is the family a key component but it’s also important to form friendships with others in recovery. 

At Futures, we know just how vital these connections are to long-lasting recovery. During each of our client’s time with us we work with them to develop these connections in ways that work best for them. One of the most coveted parts of the Futures’ program is the alumni support. This vibrant community of Futures’ alumni welcomes new alumni on the day they complete clinical treatment at Futures. The Coining In ceremony signifies the new alumni’s joining the Futures’ family and beginning a new life in recovery with all it has to offer. 

The alumni program at Futures hosts frequent alumni meetings, sober activities, and volunteer opportunities for alumni locally in Florida and other cities around the country. This helps clients build and maintain strong friendships with other sober individuals. A key part of long-term sobriety. 

In addition, while clients are at Futures they are exposed to multiple pathways for recovery and support after they leave treatment. From traditional twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to Buddhist-inspired recovery groups like Refuge Recovery, it’s crucial to find a support group in recovery. For many these support groups become their source of ongoing strength for recovery, friendship, spirituality, and where they socialize. Gaining an idea of what group you feel most comfortable with while in treatment helps to insure you’ll continue with these groups when you leave treatment. 

Leaning Into Recovery

There’s just no doubt about it; getting sober and staying sober takes work. But for those who have experienced years of healthy recovery from alcohol or drugs, they wouldn’t change it for anything. 

The road of recovery, just like life, will have good times and bad times. Things will ebb and flow. Some days and weeks you’ll feel strong and sure footed in recovery, others you’ll feel like you’re floundering. However, no matter what, it’s important to remember how life in active addiction really was and embrace your recovery—the good times and the bad. 

When you seek treatment at an addiction treatment center that understands the importance of holistic, integrated treatment, you’ll establish a strong foothold in early recovery to last for years to come. 

Futures Recovery Healthcare is here for you. We offer multiple pathways for recovery from the complex disease of addiction. Contact us confidentially online or by phone at 866-804-2098.