How it Works
People who are resilient are thought of as people who have strength and courage to face things in life others may not. When you step up to face the harsh realities around you, it helps to navigate the challenges head on rather than hide. Life seems to have more meaning when you face it with an attitude of resilience and hope. In addiction recovery, this can be a powerful tool that will help you access key solutions to some of the pressing challenges you will face. Even when you might be afraid, resiliency can empower you to take the steps you need to heal from the past and move forward.How it Helps Recovery
Substance abuse knows no boundaries and takes no prisoners. Anyone can be subjected to the ravages of addiction from every walk of life. When people deal with chronic stress, trauma, abuse, neglect, or difficult circumstances, it can feel like substances will take it away, numb, or even heal what ails them. The challenge with addiction is that it is only a temporary solution for a deeper issue. Resiliency lies in the power to acknowledge and recognize addiction for what it is and find the courage to fight back against it. Building resiliency takes time and some tools learned in recovery. It can help to start with the following:- Take the long view: right now may seem harsh but your journey in recovery is step-by-step as you reach towards a larger, broader goal. When you take the long view, you realize you will need some support to continue the journey for the long haul
- Know where you’ve been: looking back helps you look ahead. When you dealt with situations in the past, you may not have had the right tools or resources to cope effectively. Applaud yourself for how you coped as well as you did but honor where you are now in recovery and that you are on a new pathway to healing without substances, and that is great resilience
- Find community: your community of people may look different now than it did three, six, nine, even 18 months ago, but you are an ever-evolving resilient person working through addiction recovery every single day. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help from loved ones, new people who you admire, and stay courageous as you wrestle your life back
- Practice gratitude: every step you take is one step further away from where you were in the throes of addiction. Resiliency starts with recognizing your strengths and being grateful for the journey you are on now
Steps in the Right Direction offers structured, gender-specific sober living in the San Fernando Valley, with pet-friendly homes for women in Northridge and men in Winnetka. For more information, call (818) 231-1400.
Looking for a safe, structured place to live while you rebuild? Steps in the Right Direction offers gender-specific sober living in the San Fernando Valley: Aura House for women in Northridge and Arminta House for men in Winnetka. Both homes are pet friendly. Call (818) 231-1400 or apply online.
About the author: Linda Butler
Founder, Steps in the Right Direction
Linda Butler founded Steps in the Right Direction in the spring of 2000 and has spent more than 25 years helping women and men find lasting recovery through structured, pet-friendly sober living in the San Fernando Valley. Learn more about Linda.