Addiction treatment is more than just learning how to say “no” to addictive substances. After recovery, saying “no” often isn’t enough to stay sober. Through treatment and in aftercare programs, people need to learn coping skills for recovery so they can maintain their sobriety after their treatment is over.
Negative Coping Skills Versus Positive Coping Skills For Recovery

Everyone has coping skills. Those who end up addicted to drugs or alcohol often use bad coping skills to deal with their problems. Relying on an outside substance isn’t the only negative coping skill they may have, however. Other bad coping mechanisms they may exhibit include:

  • Constant Denial
  • Avoiding Troubles
  • Displacement
  • Rationalization
  • Trivialization

Often, these and other negative coping mechanisms show when there are troubles with one’s occupation, personal relationships, or other serious life issues.

People with positive coping skills have the same life issues but they deal with them in a different, more productive way. Through addiction treatment, those with negative coping mechanisms will learn coping skills for recovery that enable them to live a more positive and fulfilling life after treatment is over. These positive coping skills for recovery include:

  • Physical Exercise
  • Journaling
  • Meditation
  • Maintaining A Positive Outlook
  • Adapting Negative Emotions Into Something Positive

Why Coping Skills For Recovery Matter

Learning positive coping skills for recovery can help people work through difficult life situations, especially when they first return to daily life after addiction treatment. Once outside factors such as loved ones, social situations, and occupations enter the mix, people can lose their way and return to drugs or alcohol when things get too stressful. Those who take the time to learn and utilize positive coping skills are going to be able to maintain their sobriety long after treatment is over.

It’s not just about how to relapse prevention, however. Using coping mechanisms that help instead of hurt changes the way people think, behave and live. Instead of hiding, lying to themselves and others, and seemingly living alone with their addiction, people can learn these coping skills to build lasting, honest relationships that will support them anytime a need to use arises. With these coping mechanisms and positive people in a supporting role, those recovering from addiction will find the determination they need to stay sober even when things become challenging.

Learning Coping Skills For Recovery Starts With Addiction Treatment

While some coping skills can be learned through aftercare programs, it’s important to learn some before people leave addiction treatment centers. Without coping mechanisms to immediately help them, they’ll likely turn back to drug use, relapse, and may not find the willpower to go through addiction treatment a second time.

At Beaches Recovery, people learn how to properly cope with outside stresses through different treatment programs. Each patient comes in and receives one-of-a-kind treatment that caters to his or her needs and wants in life. Through treatment, patients can learn what coping skills work best for them, what activities they can do to stave off cravings and relapse, and where to go for aftercare treatment to learn more coping skills and other useful information. With Beaches Recovery, people can start their recovery right and learn what they need to know in order to maintain their sobriety.

It’s not just about saying “no” to addictive substances. It’s about changing your life. Let us help you learn how to cope with stress and put you on the right path to sobriety. Call Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532 and find out how we can help you on your journey.