To Maintain Abstinence Avoid Substituting Addictions

To Maintain Abstinence Avoid Substituting Addictions Addiction Coping and Recovery Methods and Support Print Avoid Substituting Addictions to Maintain Abstinence Compulsive Behavior Is Not Beneficial to Recovery By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on February 21, 2020 WilliamsHirakawa/Stone/Getty Images More in Addiction Coping and Recovery Methods and Support Overcoming Addiction Personal Stories Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Alcoholics and addicts new to recovery commonly substitute one addiction for another, becoming compulsively involved in other activities. Activities like work or exercise can be healthy and productive, but if they become a transfer of addictions they can hamper recovery. One goal of recovery and learning to live a sober lifestyle is to regain control over your life and your choices. Compulsive behavior, even with productive activities, does not allow you to exercise free choice and is not within your control. Being out of control in any area of your life does not lead to true sobriety in the long run. Common Compulsive Behaviors That Are Substitutes One common compulsive activity for people new to recovery is workaholismâ€"which means becoming compulsive about your work, career, or job search. Working and improving your financial situation are noble goals, but if youre working more than full time or spending most of your time thinking or talking about work, the behavior may be compulsive. Are You Addicted to Work? The same is true with working out. Exercise can be beneficial to people in recovery, but research shows that long-term sobriety can be hampered if an exercise program becomes compulsive and a substitute for former addictive behaviors. Unhealthy Compulsive Behaviors Its also common for alcoholics and addicts in recovery to substitute addictions that are not productive or healthy. For example, a popular substitute is for alcoholics to begin smoking marijuana, which is known as marijuana maintenance. Addicts who used heroin or methamphetamine will also substitute marijuana, often citing the argument that marijuana is not nearly as harmful. There are many other behaviors that can become compulsive such as gambling, sex, video games, shopping. Is Compulsive Shopping Really an Addiction? If you are in follow-up care in a professional rehab program, your counselor will point out the dangers of substituting these unhealthy behaviors, which can easily lead to a relapse and are counter-productive to your long-term recovery. Try to Find a Balance in Your Life Your continuing care treatment counselor will ask you about your activities in recovery and try to determine if you are becoming compulsive with any of your behaviors. This is a topic discussed by most counselors because substituting addictions is such a common occurrence. You will be encouraged to make recovery-related activities a top priority of the structure of your daily schedule. Your counselor will remind you of the importance of meeting your personal needs and the benefit of relaxation and leisure activities. The key to longterm recovery is finding a balance in your life by working, relaxing, eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and avoiding overscheduling and overworking. Are Addictive Behaviors Addictions? One Exception to the Substitution Rule One area of compulsive behavior that your counselor likely wont discourage is getting involved in a 12-step or support group program. People new to recovery sometimes become compulsive about participating in support groupsâ€"at times even attending several meetings a day. In the early months of your rehab, your counselor will probably encourage your active participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, and/or other mutual support groups. Although this recovery behavior can become compulsive to the point that you develop a dependency on your group, those issues will be addressed by your counselor at a later point in your recovery. How to Choose an Addiction Recovery Program