Towards Recovery

As we approached Lent, Huseyin felt inspired to take action this year. He  observed the 40-day period of fasting and prayer and has gave up watching TV during this period and committed to writing a short article for each day of lent in the hope that it might inform and inspire others in their recovery journey as well.

Lets dive in…

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Day 1 - The power of recovery Lent is a time of reflection and renewal, a time when we can take a step back from our daily routines and focus on our spiritual and emotional well-being. For those of us in recovery, lent can be a time of heightened awareness and a chance to deepen our commitment to our recovery journey. Read more...
Day 2 - What causes addictive behaviour and how to recognise it Let’s look first at the word addict. The word "addict" comes from the Latin word "addictus" which means "bound or devoted" or "one who has been surrendered to a master." Read more...
Day 3 - The role of community At Towards Recovery, we offer a simple “in” for people seeking to initiate recovery. All of these “touch points” make recovery visible to those that might be seeking help and are unsure how to go about it, and are unclear about what help might look like. Read more...
Day 4 - Benefits of exercise Exercise can play an important role in addiction recovery, as it provides a number of benefits that can support physical, emotional, and mental health.
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Day 5 - Coping with cravings: Tips for managing the urge to use Cravings are a common experience for individuals in addiction recovery, particularly in the early stages. Giving anything up or changing a routine or behaviour takes us from the realm of the known and familiar to the relative unknown and unfamiliar and so it’s as if we’ve gone from “auto-pilot” in our day to day living to moving forward in ‘manual”. Read more...
Day 6 - The benefits of journaling Journaling is a therapeutic tool that involves writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Using a journal captures what happened (events), how you feel (at the time) and your thoughts on everything – basically a journal is great way to capture things when they are relatively fresh. Read more...
Day 7 - The importance of self-care Addiction can be characterised by the term “self-will run riot” AA Big Book, Basic Text, referring to a situation where an individual’s self-will gets out of control, leading to destructive behaviour and this takes a toll on both physical and emotional health.

It’s essential therefore to prioritise self-care in Recovery, so let’s look at some of the strategies you can use to maintain (or establish) self-care. Read more...
Day 8 - The role of gratitude and how to cultivate it Gratitude is the practice of intentionally focusing on the positive aspects of life and feeling thankful for them. In essence it’s a choice. In addiction recovery, cultivating gratitude can be a powerful tool for maintaining a positive mindset and avoiding negative thought patterns that if left unchecked or unopposed, can lead to relapse. Read more...
Day 9 - Staying motivated Staying motivated in recovery can be challenging, particularly in the face of setbacks and challenges. However, there are strategies that can help us stay committed to our recovery journey. Read more...
Day 10 - How to overcome obstacles and deal with setbacks Addiction recovery is a journey that can be full of ups and downs. It's important to remember that setbacks and challenges are a normal part of the recovery process, and that it's possible to overcome them with the right mindset and strategies and with help from others. Read more...
Day 11 - The role of family and friends Addiction not only affects the person struggling with it but also their family and friends. Recovery is generally not a journey that can (or needs) to be taken alone, and the support of loved ones can be crucial to the success of the recovery process.

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Day 12 - The power of mindful practices As a person in recovery from addiction, incorporating mindfulness practice into our recovery journey can offer many benefits. Read more...
Day 13 - The role of peer support Peer support, like many of the other topics we have discussed, is an essential component of addiction recovery. Like a rough diamond takes time to be worked into a jewel, so our recovery journey takes time and patient work and it’s good to give and receive support along the way. Read more...
Day 14 - Strategies for overcoming feelings of shame and stigma Shame and stigma are common issues that many of us in addiction recovery face. These feelings can be challenging to overcome and can prevent many from seeking help and/or maintaining their recovery. Read more...
Day 15 – Resilience in recovery We may experience Trauma because of things that happen to us, however resilience is something we may have some of and we can learn and develop more of. It may also come through what has been “sown” into us by the people in our lives over time. Read more...
Day 16 – How nutrition can play an important role in addiction recovery Substance use can deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals, making it important to replenish these nutrients through a balanced diet. Read more...
Day 17 – The importance of finding meaning and purpose Addiction can take a significant toll on a person’s sense of self-worth and purpose. Individuals in recovery often struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem, which can make it difficult to find meaning and purpose in life. However, if we can find purpose in life, then we experience life as more meaningful and that sense of purpose and meaning can be a powerful motivator in addiction recovery. Read more...
Day 18 – How spirituality can enhance addiction recovery Just the word “spirituality” could lead us in a number of directions as it’s one of those words we’re all likely to interpret very differently. So what do we mean by spiritual or spirituality in the context of addiction recovery? Read more...
Day 19 - Discussing strategies for repairing relationships Addiction often causes people to prioritise their drug use above all else, including important personal commitments and relationships. This can lead to neglecting our responsibilities, becoming unreliable, and causing harm to those around us. Read more...
Day 20 - Finding joy People also often think about addiction recovery in terms of giving something up. A joyless existence without the thing we supposedly either love or at least can’t imagine doing without. It can be a surprise to realise life goes on and can in fact be full of things that bring joy, without the complicating dynamic addiction brings Read more...
Day 21 - The impact of social media Social media has become an ever-present part of modern life, and it has revolutionised the way we interact with each other. For people in recovery from addiction, social media can offer a powerful tool for connection and support, but it can also present challenges and risks. Read more...
Day 22 - Finding purpose in work By finding purpose in work and balancing it with self-care, individuals in recovery can build a fulfilling and sustainable life in recovery. Read more...
Day 23 - Dealing with guilt Guilt often stems from past events, and focusing on the present can help you move through those feelings. Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on the actions you can take today to improve your life and the lives of those around you. Read more...
Day 24 - The impact of trauma Traumatic experiences can create powerful triggers that can lead to intense cravings for drugs or alcohol. Even years after the trauma, certain people, places, or things can bring back vivid memories and emotions associated with the trauma, which can cause people to turn to substance use to cope. Read more...
Day 25 - Cultivating empathy In addiction recovery, empathy plays a crucial role in building meaningful relationships and fostering connection. Developing empathy can also help individuals better understand themselves and their own emotions. Read more...
Day 26 – How to develop self-discipline If you’ve ever had an addiction then you have amazing self-discipline and control, it’s just being used, or is sometimes being highjacked, in the service of the substance you are using. Read more...
Day 27 - Take a moment Whatever your belief system I invite you to take a moment to remember loved ones (family and friends and significant others) that are no longer here. They mattered, their lives mattered and the things they shared with us were special, even though they might have been painful at the time. Read more...
Day 28 - Dealing with depression Remember that depression is a treatable condition, seeking help and being actively involved in managing depression in addiction recovery can improve your overall quality of life and reduce the risk of relapse. Read more...
Day 29 - Managing anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear, and can range from mild to severe. It is a natural response to stress or perceived danger and can be helpful in certain situations. When anxiety becomes excessive or persistent, it can interfere with daily life and become a medical condition known as an anxiety disorder. Read more...
Day 30 - The importance of self-forgiveness Forgiving ourselves doesn’t mean letting ourselves off the hook or excusing our behaviour. It means owning the past but not living there! Self-forgiveness is essential because it helps us let go of feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame that can trigger or worsen addiction-related behaviours. Or it can feed other problem behaviours. Read more...
Day 31 - The importance of celebrating milestones Celebrating those milestones is an important part of the recovery process. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made and to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that has gone into achieving the milestone. Read more...
Day 32 - Building healthy boundaries In recovery, developing and maintaining healthy boundaries is an important aspect of our journey. Boundaries are a way to define and protect our physical, emotional, and mental space, and they can help us maintain healthy relationships and self-respect. Read more...
Day 33 - Embracing Change Change is a constant in life, and recovery is no exception. The process of addiction recovery involves significant changes in many areas of life, including behaviours, thought patterns, relationships, and goals. Read more...
Day 34 - The power of connection Connection helps us build a support system that can help us navigate the challenges of sobriety. It can also provide a sense of belonging and purpose, which can be vital to maintaining long-term recovery. Read more...
Day 35 - Resentment and forgiveness Letting go of resentment is often a gradual process that takes time and effort. It may involve working through complex emotions and seeking support from others. With patience and persistence, however, it is possible to find a greater sense of peace and freedom from resentment. Read more...
Day 36 - Re-lapse The word relapse sets up the assumption that recovery is abstinence from drug and/or alcohol use and a return to that behaviour or “relapse” as “back to square one”, a disaster, a giving up of all the effort previously invested, a loss of all the progress made so far. I don’t think the term ‘relapse’ is helpful or accurate and maybe we should stop using it and use more accurate language instead. Read more...
Day 37 - How hobbies and interests can support addiction recovery Engaging in hobbies and interests can play a significant role in addiction recovery by providing us with a sense of purpose, enjoyment, and fulfilment. Hobbies and interests can also help to fill the time that may have previously been spent using substances and can serve as a healthy coping mechanism to deal with stress or difficult emotions. Read more...
Day 38 - Finding balance Recovery is a journey that requires balance. It involves finding a way to balance the demands of daily life with the time and effort needed to maintain sobriety and build a fulfilling life in recovery. Achieving balance can be a challenge, but it is an important in the long-term. Read more...
Day 39 - Taking the first step How to start the journey towards recovery. No matter how you get there, whether you say your addicted or whether your relationship with substances has become problematic, taking those first steps towards recovery can be both daunting and empowering. It takes courage to acknowledge the need for change and to take action to address it. Read more...
Day 40 - Living a fulfilling life Living a fulfilling life means different things to different people, as everyone has their own unique goals, values, and priorities and their collection of ‘scraps’ to stitch together. Despite this there are some common principles or strategies that might help guide you towards a more fulfilling life in Recovery. Read more...