Building One Mind for a Strong Foundation in Long-Term Recovery
Relapse is the main challenge in the lifestyle of recovery. Relapse (any harmful behaviors towards self/others, including substance use) can happen, but it doesn’t have to be a cycle- I once heard “a slip doesn’t have to turn into a slide.” Relapse can be incredibly discouraging, so you’ll learn lifestyle adjustments and pivots that can help you stay on a path of long-term health and well-being- One day at a time! From intentional living to managing triggers and maintaining healthy relationships, you will learn and apply some key relapse prevention tips that can strengthen your confidence, improve quality of life, increase resilience, and build a better life.
Foundational Truths of Relapse Prevention
One Mind: Without clarity, that is a) your biggest motivators, and b) the effort involved, you run the risk of complacency and being stuck as “double minded” along the journey. As you work through the stages of change, you will find yourself coming to a decision about the second foundational truth of relapse prevention: Do I want to live a life of recovery one day at a time, or do I want to have days that I can call off, like I call off on a job? The more you stop showing up for anything, whether it be work, a relationship, school, etc, the less likely you are to stay involved, even if it is something incredibly good for you. The Greeks called the experience of being double-minded dipsychos, which also means “two-spirited, vacillating back and forth,” or “having two minds.” Having One Mind in Relapse Prevention allows you to say the following on a daily basis: “Today, I’m all in. I am not going back and forth. I am not calling off. I am showing up. I am intentionally directing my mind, purpose, and actions towards choosing a healthy life. I have One Mind, One Purpose, and One Journey- to choose my life of freedom.”
