Have you just finished up some time in rehabilitation, or are you preparing for some time in an inpatient drug rehab facility right now? Congratulations! You’re making a great step towards cleaning yourself up and going back to a lifestyle of sobriety.
This is a huge first step, but you’re also going to need to think ahead for when your time in rehab is complete. You don’t want to go back to the old crowd of people you used to hang out with. After all, you don’t want to fall back into old habits and vices, and those familiar faces taking you to old haunts could be the catalyst that sends you back into the downward spiral of addiction.
To avoid these possibilities and temptations, you’ll want to find some new friends to hang out with when your time at the substance abuse treatment bloomington facility is over.
New Friends, New Life
The end of rehabilitation is the beginning of a new life for you. You should be doing everything you can to stay clean so that your time in rehab wasn’t for nothing. You don’t want to fall back into old habits, as a relapse could send you way back in the progress you have made thus far.
One of the first things you should think about doing after rehab is finding a great support group to start going to. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous know the struggle you have been through, because each person sitting down in the group has been there themselves. This can be a great way to not only make new friends, but also talk to people who truly understand, who have faced what you are facing on a very personal level.
You should also consider reaching out to old friends. Did you grow up with anyone who you considered a best friend? If they are clean and sober, reach out to them and let them know you have turned your life around and would be interested in visiting with them. Rekindling old friendships can be another great way to remind yourself that you don’t need drugs or alcohol to find people to connect with.