Overcoming an addiction is a very complicated process and can sometimes even take a lifetime. Once the rehabilitation process is finished, there are still many things to do, many battles to fight and, above all, a lot of life to live. It is not easy to be victorious in all battles, since relapses are the daily bread of a person who has suffered from an addiction; However, a relapse is not in itself a step backwards, but it can end up being what was needed to gain momentum and continue fighting.

If you find yourself in that moment of abandoning rehabilitation and having to rejoin your previous life, there is something of which you must be fully aware: you cannot return to that life, because that life included the addiction that you just rehabilitated from. You will need to create new habits, new customs, a completely different life and, above all, better. It won’t be easy, but the hardest thing you’ve already done! Now you just have to continue fighting for the life you really deserve.

There will be temptations, but you will have to avoid them

Once you go out into the outside world, and stop being guided completely by a rehabilitation, you will have to face the daily routine. Find a job and, later, perform it in the best possible way; deal with family, friends, partner, and all the social acts that this implies. For example, if your rehabilitation has been from an alcohol addiction , you will have to keep in mind at all times that you will find alcohol in social events, and that you will not be able to consume it. Not a drop, absolutely nothing; you should avoid relapses as much as possible. Because while it is true that there may be, and you should not feel guilty about it, both your mental health and your physical health will be much better if you keep relapses aside.

During rehab they will have taught you techniques to control your addiction, so try to take refuge in them. Try to learn about yourself, understand, know yourself and see how you can face social situations without fear of relapses. Because you cannot isolate yourself from the world, although perhaps at first you want to.

The best alternative in this regard is to create a support network with all your family and friends. Make them see that not enough time has passed for you to feel capable of dealing with what caused your addiction, to see to what extent an addiction is really a disease and not a whim. Having people who are by your side, who support you and understand you, is essential; you must not fight alone.

What if my environment is toxic?

The problem comes when the whole environment that surrounds us is toxic , and it was precisely what pushed us to fall into that addiction. If that is your case, you should put your well-being and your health before anyone outside; And said it seems easy, but doing it is very complicated. Always remember the worst moments of your rehabilitation, how much it cost you to get out of that, and be aware that if you continue with that circle you could suffer relapses. It’s not worth it. You must get out of what you considered a comfort zone .

That is precisely what psychologists are for, to give you the help you need in difficult times. Not only will they give you the tools that will help you get out of that situation, but they will also suggest that you go to support groups , where you will begin to meet people in the same situation. People who are fighting the same fight, who want to live in the best possible way, and who want to avoid any type of substance that causes them to fall back into their addiction. There you will find comfort, understanding and friendship.

Remember that you have been through the worst, that you have rehabilitated yourself and have become strong. The only thing you have left is to show that you will not relapse, that your will to live will be able to with everything. If you have a relapse, do not hide it and do not be ashamed, because it is very common! Seek help, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy everything that an addiction could take away from you. Lean on whoever loves you, look for a healthy circle and, above all, love yourself so much that you never want an addiction again.