The Importance of Mental Health in Addiction Recovery

May is National Mental Health Awareness month. Addressing mental health needs is an integral part of addiction treatment, but it is also important to take steps to maintain mental health in order to support ongoing recovery.  

When you are in a good mental state, you can think with clarity and make rational decisions. It also becomes easier to navigate triggers and temptation in a positive mindset. You can critically think about the situation you are in to make conscientious decisions about what steps to take next. 

5 Tips for a Healthy Mind 

Here are five tips that can help you stay focused on maintaining good mental health and continuing a successful recovery: 

• Focus on the Present. Focus on the now, instead of concentrating on past mistakes and feelings of regret. Demonstrate forgiveness and gratitude for how far you have come in your recovery journey. 
• Practice Mindfulness and Breathing. When you make a conscious effort to recognize and accept your current situation (as well as your emotions), you are practicing mindfulness. Being mindful and taking moments to reflect each day can help put your recovery journey into perspective and help you realize how far you have come. 
• Cultivate Meaningful Friendships. Surrounding yourself with others who have your best interest at heart is inherently beneficial for those in active recovery. Building connections with those who wholeheartedly support your recovery will offer substantive strength and support. 
• Find a Peer Support Group. Connecting with others can help you feel understood and comforted during a time of transition. Locating a peer support group near to home, and attending regular meetings, brings you the support, guidance, and care you need to navigate recovery.  
• Stay Active and Engaged in Your Recovery. Addiction recovery requires ongoing, consistent commitment to your journey. This process means taking part in activities and hobbies that are conducive to your continued sobriety. With the proper recovery plan in place, along with the tools and resources to help guide you, you will have every chance at success. 

People tend to be very aware of the importance of caring for their physical health. For example, we all know that eating nutritious food fuels our bodies and minds with energy, and that regular exercise is important to strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system and helps you be able to engage in beneficial physical activities. 

What people are often less aware of is that good mental health needs to be cultivated as well. Our minds are like muscles that also need exercise and practice to keep them strong, flexible, and clear. And the importance of good mental health in addiction recovery cannot be understated. It is the driving force behind a successful journey, helping mitigate the chances of being triggered or spiraling into negative patterns that can lead to relapse. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call the New England Recovery Center today at 1-877-MyRehab.