How Does my Environment Affect My Recovery? 

Recovery is not a straightforward path, and it is rarely ever a linear process. When you start your journey of recovery, you will face some challenges; ups and downs are a normal part of this journey. There are many factors which play a role in determining how your healing journey will go and your environment is one of the most important factors. When choosing an environment for your recovery, you should keep in mind the various ways that your environment will impact the process. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you seek out a recovery environment: 

1. Does This Social Environment Help or Hinder My Recovery? 

Social interactions are a crucial part of our lives as humans. In many ways, we are wired to be in a community with others, and a lack of social support has a direct impact on our potential for experiencing happiness. As a consequence of the time we spend with others, we learn by observing other peoples’ behaviors. Social learning is the most common way that we learn and can be a powerful tool in your journey of recovery. 

Your social environment can either encourage your healing or worsen your substance use disorder. If you find yourself surrounded by people who are dealing with substance use disorders, or who enable your illness by providing access to drugs and alcohol, then you are not in an environment that is ideal for recovery. In such environments, you may begin to misuse alcohol simply because the surrounding people are doing so too. 

On the other hand, a social environment that promotes a healthy relationship with alcohol is extremely beneficial in addiction recovery. Support groups are a great opportunity to spend time with other people on a journey of recovery; in these environments, you can observe and adopt the positive coping skills of your peers. If you choose to start your recovery journey with Searidge, you will be part of a regular 12-person group therapy session where you can learn from, and alongside, other people on their healing journey. 

1. Does This Physical Environment Facilitate my Recovery? 

Different environments can have different effects on your behaviour. In fact, your physical environment can become a source of addiction triggers. For example, an untidy and cluttered living environment will create mental clutter. This means that when cravings hit, you may struggle to think through and suppress them.  

The lighting and colour of your environment also have a role to play in recovery. Living in a bright, well-lit environment has a positive impact on your mood. A colorful environment can also promote a sense of well-being. A raised mood and sense of wellbeing puts you in a better frame of mind as you begin your recovery journey and will lead to better outcomes. 

Finally, nature is a powerful healing tool. It restores our psychological well-being and reduces stress. Best of all, our self-perceived well-being is improved by being in nature; in other words, we feel healthier just by being outside. At Searidge, we recognize the power that nature holds, and our location benefits from the beauty of Annapolis Royal landscapes and waterfront. Our patients can take advantage of this scenic location, greenery, and fresh air as they recover. 

1. How much Support do I need at This Stage of my Recovery? 

If you just started your recovery journey (congratulations!), you will need different supports and resources than if you are in the aftercare stage of recovery. Regardless of your stage of recovery, you should seek out or create an environment that is structured, supervised, and secure. 

At Searidge, we prioritize developing new, healthy habits that you can take with you even after you leave our doors. Especially in your initial recovery phase, it is important to establish a structured routine. If you have a structured routine, you will have more mental energy to focus on healing and changing your lifestyle.  

Changing your lifestyle is no easy task, so supervision is essential. You can receive this supervision here at Searidge. Our counsellors and physicians offer therapeutic and medical interventions to help manage withdrawal symptoms. They can also teach you coping skills to avoid situations that could lead to drug abuse. 

If you are in the later stage of recovery, you may find that you need less intensive supervision. However, you should still make use of the support networks available to you through support groups and group meetings. 

Your environment is a critical piece of your recovery puzzle. We have created our treatment program with this knowledge in mind, making sure to address all the factors that create an effective recovery environment. If you are ready to commit to addiction treatment, don’t wait any longer. Contact us today to start your recovery journey.