People, Places, and Things Matter in Recovery

Recovery is no doubt a long and hard journey to take. Addiction affects every aspect of life. Recovery requires attention to these different parts of your life and the changes you must make. In treatment, we talk about the “people, places, and things” involved in this journey. 

The people that surround you have a big impact on your recovery. Ending contact with the “friends” you were using is a difficult step but most often necessary. Surround yourself with people who support your journey. Let them know about your treatment, the progress you make, and the struggles you have. Though not everyone will understand what you are going through, the people who stay by your side and root for you to maintain sobriety are the ones that matter.

Be mindful of the places you go. Going to bars, clubs, and concerts are very risky places to be, particularly early in recovery. These places are highly susceptible to relapse. Notice what particular places trigger thoughts of using. There is no need to risk your health to be social. Finding and experiencing different social events may take some time and effort, but rest assured that you can have fun without substances.

Your involvement with things matters. Notice the items you surround yourself with and create a supportive environment for your recovery. There may be items that are triggering that you have never considered before your recovery journey. You may want to rearrange furniture, clean out your car, or repaint a room. If you notice particular items trigger cravings or urges, reach out to your supporters. Create a plan for interacting with these things if the interaction is needed.

The things you do on a daily basis also become an essential part of your recovery. This is the time to explore new things that addiction may have prevented before. Create healthy and sustainable routines that will keep you on track to recovery. These healthy routines create stability in your life where there may have been chaos and uncertainty in addiction. Find daily routines that support prioritizing self-care, low stress, and calm. 

Change is possible. If you feel ready for change or are curious about exploring what change may look like for you, help is available. There are various treatment programs and recovery centers that can help you with your recovery.