ARC Essentials – The Addiction Recovery Checklist

ARC Essentials –  The Addiction Recovery Checklist

Here is some simple and straight forward advice from me when approaching your first year in recovery. I wish I had this, however learning from my mistakes should help you on your path.

Use this reminder as a guide to help you stay on track and navigate any pitfalls in the days and months ahead. 

• Acceptance– you have a problem, let’s start to fix it.
• Be honest in all aspects of life – there is freedom in transparency.
• Avoid stressful or high-risk situations if possible.
• Learn to ask for help – Humility goes a long way. The most difficult path in recovery is doing it alone.
• Become actively involved in community – whether self-help recovery groups, volunteering, sports, church.
• Step away from using friends – especially if they can’t respect you decision to get clean. 
• Make time for you and your recovery. – You only thought addiction was selfish, that same selfishness is required to ensure strong recovery roots. 
• Celebrate your small victories. – ALWAYS! Recovery is about progress not perfection. 
• Learn to say NO! – structure and being busy is important, however, it’s easy to burn out mentally and physically.
• Take better care of yourself – Develop healthy eating and sleeping habits. Learn how to relax and let go of stress.
• Make new friends – Sober ones are helpful however not essential. You need people who will encourage, strengthen and support you. 
• Find positive ways to distract yourself when you have cravings.
• Physical activity helps many aspects of recovery. – not sure if I have every mentioned this before? – Get up and Get Active
• Plan out scenarios and responses for social environments where drinking may be involved. – “I’m just out of rehab” might lead to an awkward silence. 
• When you have built a solid foundation Begin to give back and help others – use your story to inspire hope and encouragement.
• Constantly work on the mindset that “I don’t want to use”, instead of “ I can’t use” – It carries less resentment.