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After a long week of work and working a program, you may find yourself wanting to do little over the weekend. While you are well within your right to do so, we implore you to utilize the close of each week with an eye on recovery.

Addiction recovery is a full-time endeavor that does not allow men and women days off. Sure, it’s beneficial to have some downtime for relaxation, but one must also ensure that sobriety is always their number one priority.

Complacency is not a friend to people in recovery. Just because you put in ample effort Monday through Friday does not mean you can rest on your laurels during the weekend. Not surprisingly, many relapses occur at the end of the week because one thinks it is okay to skip meetings and take a break from calling their sponsor.

One facet of relapse prevention is staying busy, especially in early recovery. If you are going to skip a meeting at the weekend, then be sure to fill in that time gap by doing some fun with your peers in recovery. Whatever you do, avoid shutting yourself in and isolating. Please recognize that each day in recovery is of equal importance; breaking from your routine can prove disastrous.

With the end of the week quickly approaching, start thinking of ways you can get out to the meeting house and bond with people in your support network. Those living in Southern California have no shortage of ways they can have fun in recovery.

Having Fun While Putting Recovery First

recovery

If you are in your first year of recovery, then please make a point of attending a meeting seven days a week. It’s alright to miss one or two from time to time, but always keep in mind that meeting makers make it.

Still, attending the same meetings, day in and day out, may become boring for you. If that’s the case, no worries, ask your peers if they know of other excellent groups in the local area. Branching out can be extremely beneficial and provide you an opportunity to make new friends in the program.

Again, always be on the lookout for opportunities for sober excitement. Plan a hike with some members of your support group before or after a weekend meeting. Maybe you like to surf or lay out on the beach when the weather is beautiful; if so, invite your peers to join you because it’s an opportunity to get to know them better and have fun in the process.

The weekend can also be an excellent time to pick up a new hobby; maybe there is an art class you can take. Perhaps you like to write and read poetry; seek out a venue that people congregate to share their poetry. Self-expression can benefit your recovery in numerous ways; it may even give you a new perspective about something bothering you in life.

Those who work a lot may have limited time to focus on prioritizing a healthy body. The mind, body, and spirit are connected; nourishing one impacts each other component of the triangle. Think about exercising during the weekends or join guided exercise class; maybe a member of your support group would like to accompany you.

There are many ways to utilize the weekend in healthy ways while also putting your recovery first. Always remember that those who put their recovery first make it last. At Hope By The Sea, we would like to wish you a safe and sober weekend.

Southern California Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center

Hope Starts Here! Please contact our California rehab center if you are in a protracted battle with drug and alcohol addiction. We rely on evidence-based therapeutic modalities to help clients achieve lasting sobriety. We are available 24/7 to answer your confidential call to learn more about our programs. 866-930-4673