Staying Clean and Sober in The Everyday World

How does the way you think affects your recovery?  How does it relate to relapse prevention?  What do you think about the most?  How do you control your thoughts?  How do you begin to change what your mind thinks about?  I know that these and many other questions are going through your mind as you read the title of this post.  Changing the way you think and what you think about is one of the most important things you can do in your relapse prevention plan.

The first key is to know what you think about now.  Ask yourself what you are thinking about when an addictive thought comes to your mind.  Take notes.  Be detailed in your notes as to what was going on around you and what was going on in your mind.  Do this every time you have a thought about using.  I use this technique to analyze my using dreams as well.  In order to change your thoughts you have to be aware of what your thoughts are now.  I am including a list of sentences to aid you in this exercise.  Complete each sentence as you think them right now.  Next make a list of 5-6 alternative possible endings.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

“I know my recovery is in trouble when . . .”
“When I think about drugs, I . . .”
“Right now, I am feeling . . .”

Here is an example:

“I know my recovery is in trouble when . . .”I can not stop thinking about a drink.

“I know my recovery is in trouble when . . .”I go into a bar.

“I know my recovery is in trouble when . . .”I go to a party where alcohol is served.

“I know my recovery is in trouble when . . .”

These are simply examples.  You will have to make your own lists that are unique to the way you think.

What we have to do next is to list alternative things to think about.  For instance if you can’t semm to stop thinking about having a drink then you will need to occupy your mind with something different.  this can be anything that is of a positive nature.  A good start is to make a list of things that you like to do that do not involve drinking.

Here are a few from my personal list.

Go to church.

Study God’s Word.

Post a blog.

Go for a walk.

Clean the kitchen.

Your list will of course, be much different.  Make a very long list to provide yourself with choices.  Getting involved in a physical activity is an excellent alternative.  Sign up for softball or go bowling with non-using friends and family.

These are a few things that you can do to change the things you are thinking about in order to encourage your relapse prevention plan.  If you do not control your thinking then your thinking will control you.  I hope you can see how thinking affects your recovery now.  Focus on healthy thoughts.  At first you may not know what healthy thoughts are.  That is OK.  You can ask someone such as your sponsor to give you some healthy thought ideas.  That is just one of the things they are there for.  If you still have questions then feel free to leave a comment or post your question in the box to the right of here.

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