The Recovery Journey – 7 steps to staying on track

September is Recovery Month, an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those in recovery, increase awareness around addiction and challenge stigma. At CADAS, recovery is what we are all about. Our aim is always to help you find safer, healthier ways of living and find more sustainable ways of managing your mental health. To mark this important month, let’s talk about how we can help you get on the road to recovery and how to stay on track.

What does Recovery mean to CADAS?

At CADAS, recovery is about uncovering the reasons for your unhealthy habit or addiction, learning to live in a more resourceful, satisfying way and, importantly, maintaining it. The recovery journey isn’t the same for everyone, and we are here to help you find out what it means to you together.

“Recovery isn't one size fits all; every journey is unique. We can help to explore what recovery looks like for you and support you to approach it one step at a time, on your terms. I think I take this approach because people have a fixed idea about what recovery is or looks like, based on external factors. This can make it feel rigid and out of reach. But the truth is recovery is so much more common than people think. It looks different for everyone and it's fluid. You just have to take that first step.”

-            CADAS Quality and Improvement Lead, Emma Horrobin

 

How will CADAS Support your Journey to Recovery?

If you are struggling with addiction, we can support you in several ways. We offer 1-1 sessions with experienced recovery coaches as well as peer support groups and drop-ins where you can share and listen to people with similar lived experiences. We can also support those affected by someone else’s addiction through groups and 1-1 support and our CADAS Family Service is there for when families are impacted by an addictive behaviour.

“Recovery month is really important to the CADAS team; we are incredibly proud of the positive changes clients make and that we are part of their journey.”

– Gail Jenson, CADAS CEO

7 Steps to Help you Stay on Track with Recovery

Overcoming addiction is challenging and there may be times when you feel your recovery journey is a struggle. Recovery is a process, it isn’t linear and it often requires ongoing support. There are however lots of things you can do to make the journey easier and to help maintain a positive mindset.

• Stay connected to a supportive community: Your friends, family, CADAS support group. Stay connected with those who support you and your recovery and share your feelings with people who have similar lived experiences to you.

• Get outside and connect with nature: Simply being out in the fresh air can give your mind the reset it needs, regulate your emotions and boost your mood. Try practicing mindfulness while you are out in nature to help you be present in the moment and focus on your thoughts and feelings.

• Find hobbies or activities that keep you active and focused: Focusing on a new hobby or an activity you love can help give you a sense of purpose, achievement and enjoyment.

• Exercise: Not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health, exercise can boost mood, self-esteem and confidence whilst relieving stress and reducing anxiety. 

• Acknowledge and celebrate how far you have come: Take the time to feel proud of yourself and celebrate the positive impact your recovery is having on your life.

• Create a routine that works for you: Routine can often be key – it’s a way of setting small, achievable goals each day, providing structure, reducing stress and enabling healthy habits to become the norm.

• Recognise when you are struggling and reach out to people you trust: Ask for help if you are struggling, whether it be by speaking to a family member or friend or calling the CADAS helpline. Talking is the best thing you can do. 

If you are struggling with addiction and need support, you are not alone.

WE CAN HELP

Helpline: 0800 254 5658 (available on weekdays 9-5)