Roadblocks and Detours
Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. | Michael Jordan
You’ve seen it before. You’re heading down your common route to work, or following a map to a new place, or traveling down the interstate when you see it.
A roadblock.
Traffic’s backed up and the best way you know to go is closed. Now what? Often the road to recovery is the same way. You run into roadblocks and obstacles that threaten to derail your progress. How do you stay on course when you face this kind of difficulty?
It’s one thing to learn a new mantra or coping technique within the walls of a treatment center. It’s another thing to practice new techniques outside those walls during a crisis or a stress-inducing issue. But you’ve been prepared for this. And the people you love are counting on you to find a way around the roadblock and continue steadily on the path to recovery.
Here are some tips to help you on your way:
– When you feel tempted to relapse, reach out for help. Call a friend, a neighbor, a sponsor or a counselor who can encourage you to stay on track.
– Stay away from the places where you used to engage in substance abuse or where you know you’d find old friends who are still using.
– Occupy your time with good friends, family, and sober fun activities.
– Remind yourself what you learned in treatment and what you want for your life today.
Call us and we can talk you through your issue, help you find good places to receive support, and get you back into treatment if you feel like you need it.
Not the End of the Road
Roadblocks can derail us, but they don’t have to mean the end of the journey. Recovery is about overcoming the obstacles and barriers that have kept you down and pushing through to a new and brighter life. It’s within your reach!
Above all, remember this:
– Where do you want to be in five years? You can get there.
– What are your goals? You can achieve them.
– What promises have you made to your loved ones? You can keep them.
– What did your friends and counselors teach you in treatment? You can remember it.
Tell us about your recovery by visiting us on Facebook, and keep track of the Heroes in Recovery movement by following us on Twitter! We want to partner with you on this journey.