It’s not uncommon for people in early recovery to return to drug use in challenging situations, such as attending a funeral, a court proceeding, or a meeting with someone who has “pushed your buttons” in the past. These situations can trigger traumatic emotions and memories, and they can increase your risk of a relapse. As a new recovering person, you need to avoid stressful, high-risk situations on a daily basis.
Action for the Day
Make a list of the stressful situations or people who you are likely to face in the next week. Pick a few of these situations that you can avoid or delay. For the situations you can’t avoid, talk to your sponsor, supportive family members, and recovering friends to develop a plan to deal with the situation safely. You can store these situations and coping skills in the My Relapse Prevention Plan in this app. There’s no reason to take on stress right now if you can avoid it. Many of the items on your list can wait.
Thought for the Day
“Even when things are stressful, deep down in my heart I know that everything will be all right, and that my Higher Power is always with me, guiding me.”
