Contributing Writer – Sandra Smith
A recovery plan is a list of tools, techniques, and resources that you can turn to instead of drinking or using drugs to cope with life’s challenges. In the beginning, especially, it is stressful to cease using addictive substances.
All of my plan falls under self-care, and self-care isn’t selfish. Remember to take your recovery one day at a time.
I’ve been sober for over four years, so my recovery plan is quite extensive, as I have built it over time. Some of the items on the list—like number 2—I did before I stopped drinking. Don’t stress about your plan. Just pick one or two things to focus on. As you progress in your recovery, you will develop more bandwidth to add in more things.
Please give yourself grace in the early sobriety days. It might be hard to hear your inner voice telling you what you need, but with time, it gets clearer.
Recovery Plan
1. Find a Recovery Program You Like
I use Women for Sobriety. Attend meetings in-person or online. Pick up the reading materials.
2. Take Care of Your Body Nutritionally
I eat vegetarian and take supplements.
3. Exercise
Find exercise you enjoy. I do Tai Chi weekly, hike, and ride my horse.
4. Give the Higher-Power Thing a Try
Start a regular meditative or spiritual practice. I meditate daily and try to incorporate mindfulness into my day.
5. Self-Care
Massages, hot baths, naps, getting enough sleep at night, drinking water.
6. Spend Time Doing Activities You Enjoy
I like to spend time with my horse.
7. Give Yourself Permission to Say No
If I know attending an event will be a trigger, I avoid it.
8. Do Nothing
Relax and give yourself breathing room.
9. Find Community
This can help with feelings of isolation.
10. Spend Time in Nature
This is restorative and can help calm frazzled nerves.
Final Thoughts
My hope is that things will start to get easier, and you will begin to feel moments of enjoyment and happiness in your new life. Take baby steps—just choose one thing to incorporate into your life at a time.
With consistency, you will form new habits, and when things get tough, you will have tools in your tool belt to get through the rough patches. You are in control to design a new life you love.
Sandra Smith is a contributing writer for Sober Not Subtle. Sandra is a life coach, grief counselor, and sober coach dedicated to helping others navigate life’s challenges with compassion and support. Based in North Carolina, she finds joy in spending time with her horse and her 22-year-old daughter. A passionate advocate for holistic living, Sandra enjoys vegetarian cooking and has recently taken up brewing her own kombucha. With dreams of owning a hobby farm one day, she embraces a mindful and intentional lifestyle.
Sandra holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Misericordia and an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Through her coaching practice, Waves of Love, she provides guidance for those seeking healing, personal growth, and sobriety. Follow Sandra on her social media accounts below:
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