After addiction recovery, the goal is often to get back much of what was once lost. These things often include material items like finances, homes, and cars, damaged relationships like marriages and those between work associates, and, for some, they also often include a reconnection with one’s spiritual side. However, none of these things can be accomplished unless trust is first restored.
Addiction Recovery: What Happens After Treatment?
Many people feel a sense of unease after treatment. This is because they now have to utilize all they learned in treatment in their everyday lives. Now, this can be challenging because there is less accountability after treatment and thus a greater chance for a relapse.
That is why it is so important to leave treatment with a long-term recovery plan in place. This plan may include relapse prevention, continued therapy, and a connection with a recovery community. When this happens, an individual is much more likely to grow in their recovery, which is essential.
The reality is that treatment is not a “silver bullet” solution. Treatment is just the beginning of the recovery journey. If one wishes to truly recover it is going to take continued work and attention. As they say in 12-Step recovery, “Faith without works is dead.” This work must also include a lot of trust-building with those who have been hurt by one’s addiction.
The Importance of Restoring Trust After Addiction Recovery
Many people get discouraged when they discover that merely going to treatment does not fully restore people’s trust in them. Yes, going to treatment is a big step, but one must understand that trust takes time to earn, and many people affected by addiction have their own trauma that they must now work on.
There is a saying in recovery that goes, “It took this many days to walk into the forest, it is going to take the same amount to walk out.” This means that one cannot expect things to be fixed right away. No, just as an active addiction lasts a long time, the recovery process is going to take time as well. The good news is that with action and by doing the next right thing, restoring trust after addiction is wholly attainable.
What Does Restoring Trust After Addiction Recovery Look Like?
Part of restoring trust after addiction is getting honest with others. There may be no better way to restore trust than to show that one is a trustworthy person. This often means”making amends” to those loved ones that have been hurt.
Now, most people only know the “amends process” in relation to the Twelve Steps, and yes it is a big part of that program. However, one does not need to be a member of a 12-Step program to make amends. One must merely come up with a list of people that they had wronged while in active addiction and be willing to apologize and make right those wrongs.
Yes, this process can be uncomfortable, but it will go a long way in restoring trust after addiction recovery. However, restoring trust cannot simply stop after apologizing for past indiscretions. One must continue to live a trustworthy lifestyle.
What Does Maintaining Trust After Addiction Recovery Look Like?
Maintaining trust after addiction recovery is all about being honest with oneself and practicing what was learned in recovery throughout all facets of life. For example, one must now be willing to be rigorously honest when making mistakes at home, school, or work. Instead of trying to hide mistakes, being open and honest will help to build essential trust.
Maintaining trust after addiction recovery will also come by staying connected to one’s recovery program. When people see that their loved one is committed to their recovery, they then don’t have to worry about a relapse or the individual’s well-being regarding alcohol or substances.
Also, staying connected to a recovery program helps people to grow in their trust in themselves. Part of most recovery programs is being rigorously honest with the group, and this honesty can take place in safe spaces where people can help each other make the next right move if an individual has found themselves in a situation where they are being dishonest with themselves or others. Again, this is the benefit of being held accountable.
Restoring Trust With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we know how important trust and restoring trust are to recovery. That is why we always make sure that our clients have a post-treatment recovery plan that is going to keep them honest with both themselves and others.
The best way to show trust is by actions, not words. At Lantana Recovery, we offer that plan of action, and we will always keep our word.
Restoring the trust of others can be challenging during and after recovery. However, there are many effective tools and techniques to help navigate gaining that trust back (such as making amends and offering space as needed) and how to manage sobriety while that trust is coming back. Part of managing that sobriety while trust is coming back is to remember the phrase, “Live and let live.” If you feel like you or someone you love is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or comorbidities of both, we can help get you on the powerful path of recovery. For more information about the importance of restoring trust after treatment, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
