Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Tips for Getting Your Life Back

GAINING BALANCE

 

 

 

IMPROVE AWARENESS


ANONYMOUS PROGRAMS

Alcoholics Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Food Addicts Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous
Heroin Anonymous
Love Addicts Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous
Online Gamers Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Pills Anonymous
Sex Addicts Anonymous
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Smokers Anonymous
Workaholics Anonymous

 



 

SPECIFIC ACTIONS TO TAKE

  • Eliminate things in the environment that support the addiction
    • Family friends, coworkers, employers, community, social "hang-outs"
    • Ease for accessing the addictive thing
    • Listen: University of Utah "Environmental Risk Factors"
  • Develop new coping strategies
    • Avoid being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired...these can trigger the addiction
    • Create a different lifestyle; it will be easier to stay "clean"
  • Increase awareness to the addictive behaviors
    • Know what "sets you off" write these things down--be honest with yourself
  • Re-distribute time to meaningful activities not associated with the addiction
  • Create new routines
    • Stay happy within your routine, even if it requires changes to the environment
  • Find something challenging, not associated with the addiction, to provide fulfillment and boost confidence
  • Set goals continuously
    • Plan your days so you can best maange your time
  • Join a 12-step program (see above), seek additional/outside help (i.e., therapist)
    • Stay in contact with someone who understands your addiction
  • Stay motivated
    • Remeber where you have been adn where you want to be
    • Remeber what is at stake if you act on the addiction--total lack of balance in life (feeling completely out of control and unhappy)
    • Help someone
  • Find ways to relax
    • Spend time with a pet
    • Read
    • Listen to music
    • Exercise
    • Meditate
    • Talk to someone
    • Go for a walk
    • Get plenty of sleep
    • Enjoy "the little things in life"
    • Treat yourself to an occasional non-addiction "treat"
    • Laugh

RESEARCH SAYS...

Studies show that those in AA who help new members have a significantly decreased risk of relapsing.

Studies show AA/NA members who sponsor are more likely to get and stay clean for the year they sponsor





YIELDS

happiness, freedom, peace

AND BALANCE





References

Addictions and Recovery.Org (2012). Relapse prevention and recovery strategies. Retrieved April 13, 2012 from website http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/recovery-skills.htm
Brady, B. R., Vodanovich, S. J., & Rotunda, R. (2008). The impact of workaholism on work-family conflict, job satisfaction, and perception of leisure activities. The Psychologist-Manager Journal, 11(2), p. 241-263.
Dayton, Tian. (n. d.). The set up: Living with addiction. Retrieved March 9, 2012 from website http://www.nacoa.org/pdfs/the%20set%20up%20for%20social%20work %20curriculum.pdf
Downs, A. B., Houghtaling, A., Wampler, R. S., & Shumway, S. (2009). Shifting perspectives in recovery: Feminist-informed relationship groups for male addicts. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 27(4), p. 409-425.
Genetic Science Learning Center (2012) Environmental Risk Factors for Addiction. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/factors/environment.html
Helbig, K. & McKay, E. (2003). An exploration of addictive behaviours from an occupational perspective. Journal of Occupational Science, 10(3), p. 140-145.
Matuska, K. M. (2010). Workaholism, life balance, and well-being: A comparative analysis. Journal of Occupational Science, 17(2), p. 104-111.
*Pagano, M. E., Friend, K. B., Tonigan, J. S., Stout, R. L. (2004). Helping other alcoholics in alcoholics anonymous and drinking outcomes: Findings from Project MATCH. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65(6), p. 766-733.
Stoffel, V. C. & Moyers, P. A. (2004). An evidence-based and occupational perspective of interventions for persons with substance-use disorders. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(5), p. 570-586.
Sussman, S., Lisha, N., & Griffiths, M. (2011). Prevalence of the addictions: A problem of the majority or the minority? Evaluation of the Health Professions, 34(1), p. 3-56.
Thibeault, R. Fostering healing through occupation: The case of the Canadian inuit. Journal of Occupational Science, 9(3), p. 153-158.
Wikipedia. (2012). List of twelve-step groups. Retrieved April 8, 2012 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_twelve-step_groups
Workaholics Anonymous World Service Organization (2005). Recovery from work addiction through working the twelve steps. Retrieved March 11, 2012 from http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/pdf_files/Recovery_From_Workaholism.pdf

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