Having a checklist for wellness during addiction recovery will convince you to seek treatment. Addiction is not a good state to be in, and we understand your struggles. We understand the feeling of solitude that comes with it. But you are not alone.

We understand the mental and psychological struggle of wanting to be normal again. And this article will help calm those fears. You probably have read somewhere that withdrawal can take a toll on you. It’s the truth, but that isn’t the whole story. There are things you can do during withdrawal and recovery to remain in sound health.

Addiction is a broad scope. It ranges from the use of substances to total dependence and inability to function without the substance. With our expertise and experience, we have been able to write this guide to help individuals suffering from substance addiction. 

You are taking the first bold step by being on this page. In the following sections, we will take a look at everything you need to know about withdrawal. This will lead us to a guide to wellness during addiction treatment.

The 5 Stages of Addiction Recovery

The need for a checklist for wellness during addiction recovery is necessary for the initial stage of treatment. Furthermore, it’s important to learn what to expect during addiction recovery.

Your being on this page means you are at the first stages of addiction recovery. The five stages of recovery details the trends and journey towards a life without addiction. 

There is no timeline for each of these stages; each person has a different recovery rate. This makes it difficult to ascertain how long it will take you to achieve full recovery. But, here are some things you will notice at every stage during the addiction recovery process:

Stage 1: Acknowledging the addiction

It is commonplace for addicts to deny being one. However, recovery starts once you can self-realize that there is a problem. This stage is a learning curve. This checklist for wellness during addiction recovery is necessary to climb that curve.

Stage 2: Awareness

This is the stage where you pay attention to your behaviour at work, home, and friends. At this stage, it is more than likely that you haven’t stopped substance intake. But, realizing the mistakes you make will bolster your conviction of getting addiction treatment in Vancouver.

Stage 3: Exploration

At this stage, you will try to do it alone. But, there is a high chance that you will go back to the bad habit. Then, you realize that you won’t be able to go it alone. At this stage, you start considering your options for professional assistance.

Stage 4: Starting the recovery process

The recovery process is long and comes with side effects. With the right checklist for wellness during addiction recovery, you can reduce the severity of these side effects. Your therapist will dictate the things you need on your addiction rehab checklist. This will be the premise of the wellness tips we will share in the section below.

Stage 5: Ongoing aftercare and recovery

During recovery, you have a high chance of suffering from a relapse. However, at this stage, you will master coping skills. These prevent relapse and keep you on the path to sobriety.

Don’t get too comfy at this stage. At this stage, a high percentage of addiction treatment patients suffer a relapse. However, with the support of friends and family, you can conveniently tow the path to long term sobriety.

Related article: Why Self Care is Important During Addiction Recovery

Side Effects of Addiction Withdrawal

The importance of a wellness checklist during addiction recovery is to manage the side effects of addiction withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms vary, depending on the substance:

• Change in appetite
• Congestion
• Muscle pain
• Changes in mood
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Shakiness
• Tremors
• Runny nose
• Sleeping difficulties
• Sweating
• Vomiting

There are other substance-peculiar side effects, but the above are more common. The following checklist for wellness during addiction recovery will help you handle recovery better. 

Guide to Wellness during Addiction Treatment

Health and wellness mean different things to different people. However, a common factor is that the definition of wellness cuts across the following seven dimensions. 

Addiction treatment in Vancouver is not an easy process. However, this checklist for wellness during addiction recovery across all dimensions can make it easier.

Physical Wellness

You will experience the side effects of addiction recovery in this dimension. Addiction takes a toll on several physical conditions and parts. 

These include eating habits, exercising, and rest. With substance addiction, the expected standard of life is out of the window. These side effects also affect other aspects of life.

Your addiction recovery plan for physical wellness must include the following;

• Taking exercise for a minimum of 3 – 5 years weekly. You should ensure that you make excellent exercise choices in this period. 
• Make sure you eat properly and healthily
• Maintain your weight at a healthy level
• You should go for regular body checkups.
• You should get regular dental checkups.
• Ensure emotional wellness at all times (be able to tackle life issues, without resulting in substance use)
• Consistency with therapy will go a long way in keeping you in check.

Social Wellness

The checklist for wellness during addiction recovery should also include your social life. In the dimension of social wellness, you can connect with other people. 

Friends and family can form a rigid support system for you. Social wellness is similar but different from emotional wellness. The best tips to maintain wellness during addiction recovery here are:

• Develop contact with others by going and contributing to group therapy.
• Try to meet at least one person per day.
• Contact your friends and family regularly.

Intellectual Wellness

This dimension involves the expansion of knowledge and skill set. The best way to enhance this dimension is by working on other aspects of wellness. 

For instance, mastering the triggers of your addictive behaviours and knowing how to prevent them is important. The checklist for wellness during addiction recovery for this dimension include;

• Focus on academics or taking classes
• Get involved in local politics
• Taking up a new hubby
• Reading and attending workshops are critical.

Occupational Wellness

Wellness in your job involves the satisfaction you derive from it. You need to ensure that your job is one that you enjoy. If your job easily frustrates you, it may cause a relapse during recovery. To enjoy your job more;

• Get better by taking more professional development courses
• Improve your communication skills. This fosters an effective interaction with your employer and colleagues.

Financial Wellness

This dimension doesn’t particularly mean that you should be wealthy. It simply means that you get satisfaction from your current financial state. 

If you have financial issues during recovery, relapse can occur. Hence, you need a checklist to ensure financial wellness during addiction recovery:

• Clear your debts
• Have a savings plan
• Learn and understand the financial markets
• Give time to mastering investment.

Environmental Wellness

This refers to the need for you to live in an environment that is pleasant and supportive of recovery. Your environment has a way of influencing other aspects of health. Hence, you need to put more thought into your immediate living space.

• Spend more time in nature
• Make your immediate environment as simple as possible
• Ensure your environment is very clean
• Declutter your space regularly.

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness simply refers to the dimension of expanding your sense of purpose in life. This aspect is also linked to other dimensions. The best way to maintain this aspect of life is by sticking through with recovery. 

If your spiritual wellness is connected to spiritual beliefs, ensure you do the right things. If your spiritual wellness is simply about the sense of purpose, keep your focus.

Final Take

This checklist for wellness during addiction recovery is vital. While they won’t eliminate the side effects of withdrawal, they’ll go a long way toward coping. Getting treatment is a hard decision to come to, but you can make progress on this by reaching an addiction rehab near you. 

Here at Addiction Healing Centre, we offer customized addiction treatment to fit your unique needs. Our addiction experts can help you develop a checklist along with coping skills. This way, you can maintain wellness throughout the addiction recovery process. Call Inspire Change Addiction Rehab in Vancouver for addiction treatment programs. Contact us to get started.