Conceptualised by David Susman, here are the 10 most important keys to recovery:
1. Find Hope
Finding a sense of hope is often the first key to recovery. Believing that recovery is possible - a foundation of hope, will set the path right for the road to recovery.
2. Ask for Help
One must understand that help is available. Get opinions from others such as mental health providers and take that critical step to call and make an appointment.
3. Get Informed
As soon as you have received a diagnosis, learn about your illness, its symptoms, and treatment options. Understand your condition well so that you are better able to manage it.
4. Engage in Treatment
Be consistent and committed to your treatment plan. Feel free to ask your health care providers about the research supporting the types of treatment they recommend to you.
5. Seek Support
Support is critical in recovery; friends, family and health care professionals are essential components of your support team. Others from your work, school, or faith community may also be great sources of help. Also, keep an open eye for support group, where others in recovery can share their experience and valuable strategies they have learned through their own journey.
6. Develop a Plan
Having a plan is important for you to progress from where you are to where you want to be. Your plan should include your overall goals and specific action steps for getting there. Share your plan with your key supporters so they can help hold you accountable and keep encouraging you as you move forward.
7. Take Action
Nothing changes if nothing changes. Give yourself time limits on tasks to keep you moving forward. In the meanwhile, keep your support system close by for feedback and encouragement. Modify your plan as needed to keep it fresh, focused, and achievable.
8. Reconnect with Life
Recovery requires a lot of work but it should also include some fun. Seek and find joy, meaning and satisfaction through your hobbies, things you love, and supportive relationships. Reward yourself regularly with simple, enjoyable activities for making progress in your recovery.
9. Stick With It
A slip really isn’t a fall, so don’t be too hard on yourself and don't ever give up when the inevitable challenge comes along. Setbacks will happen, but learning from them and readjusting your plan will make things a little easier the next time around.
10. Help Others
Share your story, your challenges, and your victories to help someone else. The person you help will grow by learning about and considering the strategies that were helpful for you. You will also be strengthened by the personal satisfaction that comes from helping someone else on their path to recovery.
Keep going and recognize that recovery is more like a marathon than a sprint; it’s a long haul but with support and endurance, you will make it.
Category(s):Addictions, Mental Health in Asia
Source material from Psychology Today
