STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE are KEY COMPONENTS of a SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY from a substance use disorder.

Without a HEALTHY ROUTINE TO FOLLOW, it can be easy to fall back into old habits and a dysfunctional lifestyle.

Recovery from an addiction can provide the perfect opportunity to reset other areas of your life, as well.

These new, healthier habits you develop can help you feel EMPOWERED during your recovery journey.

THE BENEFITS OF STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE IN RECOVERY

Structure and routine can help you throughout your recovery journey in several ways.

Creating and sticking to a schedule can provide a stabilizing force, help you develop self-control, improve your MENTAL HEALTH, keep you engaged and improve your PHYSICAL HEALTH:

1. IT HELPS YOU ESTABLISH A NEW NORMAL

Beginning a recovery journey can be a scary new step for many people struggling with an addiction.

Getting used to a new routine can REPLACE YOUR FEELINGS OF FEAR WITH FEELINGS OF STABILITY.

ROUTINE PROVIDES A SENSE OF SECURITY when your life may feel like it’s been turned upside down or when you feel especially vulnerable.

Developing NEW HABITS can help you feel like you’re replacing your substance use disorder with new, healthy practices.

One study found that it took 66 DAYS on average for people to form habits that became an AUTOMATIC part of their routine. You may find that after your first two months of sobriety, your new routine begins to feel more instinctive and familiar.

2. IT HELPS YOU EXERCISE SELF CONTROL

Recovering from a substance use disorder is not simply a matter of willpower. Addiction is a disease that must be treated properly.

After the initial stages of addiction recovery, self-control becomes an important component of your long-term success.

Temptation will come, and when it does, self-discipline can help you resist.

Self-control isn’t something you can muster up whenever needed. It’s more like A MUSCLE YOU CAN EXERCISE, according to psychologists.

This is encouraging to people in recovery because it means you can build up willpower so it’s there when you need it. Resisting the urge to stay in bed too late or eat an unhealthy snack at night can help you be better prepared to resist the temptation to use drugs or alcohol.

3 .IT CAN IMPROVE YOUR SELF ESTEEM AND MENTAL HEALTH

Self-esteem issues can contribute to and result from a substance use disorder.

A comprehensive approach to addiction recovery should include THERAPY TO HELP ADDRESS THESE ROOT ISSUES and encourage healthier self-talk.

In addition to therapy, establishing CONSTRUCTIVE ROUTINES can be an excellent way to help people improve their mental health and raise their self-esteem.

Consider the CONFIDENCE BOOST you feel when you GET UP EARLY to exercise or when you reach a goal you’ve been striving toward.

Lots of little victories in ADHERING TO A SCHEDULE can help you feel in control and accomplished.

These positive feelings can help tremendously when you’re experiencing a new level of vulnerability and giving up substances you may have relied on to mask or forget self-esteem issues.

4. IT HELPS YOU AVOID BOREDOM

Another way STRUCTURE PROMOTES LONG TERM SOBRIETY is in PREVENTING BOREDOM — an issue that can trigger a relapse.

A feeling of AIMLESSNESS can motivate a person to look to drugs or alcohol as an activity to fill their TIME or add excitement to their days.

A lack of STRUCTURE with too much free time creates a dangerous dynamic for people in recovery.

If you’ve used substances to combat boredom in the past, it’s especially critical you create a schedule that will help you avoid long stretches of TIME with nothing to do.

A schedule for sobriety should include CONSTRUCTIVE HABITS like attending therapy sessions, along with FUN ACTIVITIES like hobbies.

Staying busy can help you IMPROVE YOUR LIFE in many ways and actively avoid the circumstances that could trigger a relapse.

5. IT CAN IMPROVE YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

When you adopt a more CONSISTENT SCHEDULE, you may notice your PHYSICAL HEALTH IMPROVES.

A better SLEEP SCHEDULE alone can make a significant difference in your ENERGY LEVELS during the day and your OVERALL HEALTH.

During the first week of sobriety especially, insomnia can be a common issue.

Practicing good sleep hygiene during recovery can help you overcome that initial insomnia and start enjoying restful nights.

Better EATING HABITS and EXERCISE can also help IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH.