Shaking Things Up – Staying Safe Until Safe Becomes Dangerous
Drug addiction—especially opiate addiction—is isolating in nature. When we’re using, we want to hide the severity of our addiction from everyone around us, we don’t want to be bothered when we’re high, and we don’t want to have to deal with anyone else’s problems because we have enough of our own. Choosing to face that addiction head-on and go into treatment is a huge step, but those of us who choose an outpatient treatment like the Suboxone withdrawal offered by Meditox often choose to go through recovery just like we went through addiction: alone.
When Safe Becomes Dangerous
At first, spending time away from friends who are still using drugs or avoiding activities that may trigger the desire to take pills or get loaded is a good idea. However, holing up at home and cutting off all contact with the outside world is no way to build a solid foundation and a new life. Life requires interaction with other people and spending too long by yourself is only going to lead to trouble. Where you may need the privacy to detox and regain your physical stability, too much time spent in self-imposed exile is going to drive you to relapse.
Creating Safety
You may feel like you can control your environment if you stay home but that once you step outside, the reins are ripped out of your hands. Running into someone you know when you don’t feel strong—even if you never used with that person and they are completely ignorant of your problems with drug addiction—can be disconcerting. The nature of addiction is to self-obsess, so getting out of the house and out of your head is the best way to do it. Choosing a destination that is safe is key.
- Obviously, a 12-step meeting is a good start. Here you will meet people of like mind where they understand where you’re coming from and what you’re going through. No one will judge you here and you are under no obligation to speak up or even come to another meeting.
- Volunteer work at an animal shelter is another good choice. In fact, anything to do with animals is a good idea, even if it’s adopting a dog yourself and walking it regularly. If you’re not ready for the responsibility of your own pet, then volunteering is a great way to get your mind off your own problems and enjoy some companionship with the animals.
- Joining a gym is another safe choice for your first mission outside of the home. Any health-focused class like martial arts or yoga will not only give you something positive to do with your time but it has the cumulative effect of increasing your endorphins, or happy chemicals. Also, detox continues long after your physical symptoms pass and continuing to help your body become stronger after the abuse it endured during your drug abuse is only going to increase your chances of success in recovery.
Tips to Safety Outside the Home During Early Recovery
Your first choices should have a set start time and a definite ending point. Meetings, classes and volunteer shifts generally happen on a regular and recurring basis and this will help you not to overdo it and work them into your schedule without lapsing back into your isolation. Choosing something that has a purpose is another good tip. Avoid just heading over to the neighborhood coffee shop to hang out or aimlessly window shopping or driving around. Choose an activity, get there on time and return home when it is over. When you’re in early recovery, it’s enough to just get out of the house and interact with people comfortably. Remember: just take it bird by bird.
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