Completing a residential opiate abuse treatment is a sure way to overcome addiction. However, if recovering individuals don’t find their recovery motivating, they can easily relapse and give up their goal to remain sober.
Addiction happens when one is unhappy and not contented with life. Happiness cannot be found instantly as it is the result of repetitive positive habit-driving activities, character-building and practice of good habits.
For a lasting recovery following an opiate addiction treatment, the PERMA Model becomes useful. PERMA Model for well-being was introduced by psychologist Martin Seligman, who finds that it is also beneficial during recovery from drug addiction.
According to Seligman, addiction is the result of seeking the following:
· P- positive emotions
· E- flow-like experiences
· R- form relationships
· M- meaning of life
Seligman believes that reinforcing the positive is equally important as eradicating the negative behavior, events or thoughts after the opiate abuse treatment. In order to change the negative into positive ones, here are ways to do it:
1. P: TO INCREASE POSITIVE EMOTION:
Savoring: The ability of the individual to recognize pleasure and exerting an effort to make it last. After the opiate addiction treatment, if recovery seems boring, no recovering individual would stay sober.
In order for recovering individuals to stay abstinent for a long time, they should find ways to enjoy sober an avoid stress. It could be done by enriching themselves through sober learning activities such as cooking lessons, music lessons or doing fun and creative activities including hiking, kayaking or water sports.
Reduce Stress: Put your recovery goals in the forefront. It is the easiest way to limit stress because it can guide you in focusing on things that you need to accomplish after the treatment for opiate addiction. Without focus, you can become disoriented in recovery.
Practice Gratitude: “Three Blessings” exercise is a definite way to practice gratitude following the opiate addiction treatment. You may write in your journal daily the people, things, events or anything that you are thankful and happy about. It is also good if you write why it makes you happy.
Create High Quality Connections: One definite way to increase positive emotion is to connect with people. After your opiate substance abuse treatment, make sure to connect only with people, who understand and support your recovery.
Reinforce Positive Thoughts: Break the cycle of negativity by thinking only positive things. Divert your mind when you are triggered by cravings and urges by thinking of activities that help you get clean and sober.
Meditate: When you meditate you practice awareness so you become more aware of your thoughts and actions. Meditation is a therapy used in opiate addiction treatment and other drug addiction treatment for long years due to its benefits.
2. E- FLOW-LIKE EXPERIENCES
Flow-like experiences can only be achieved by committing yourself fully in recovery. It is accomplished by creating recovery goals. It enhances self-worth which is an ingredient for a successful opiate abuse cure results.
3. R- FORM RELATIONSHIPS
During opiate addiction treatment, group therapy is a technique utilized to start building a social network. Forming healthy relationships in recovery can lower the possibility of relapse, improves health and enhances the general well-being.
4. M- MEANING OF LIFE
Finding the meaning of life is one thing that should be done at the beginning of recovery. For recovering individuals to remain in sobriety, they should find a purpose in life. When you find meaning in your life, the outcome of treatment for opiate abuse would be better and the more likely they stay abstinent.
