Tools in the Recovery Toolbox

1
Tools in the Recovery Toolbox

• Surviving times of
• STRESS

2
Try to avoid swimming with sharks!
3
In times of stress, SIMPLIFY!

• K.I.S.S.
• One Day / Hour / Minute / Moment at a Time
• One Step at a Time
• Dont SHOULD on yourself

4
How can stress be triggered?

• What happens when youre too Hungry, Angry,
  Lonely, Tired?
• Sometimes you can deal with things and its no
  big deal. At other times even little things get
  to you what are the things that cause you
  stress?

5
H.A.L.T.

• Dont get too . . .
• Hungry
• Angry
• Lonely
• Tired

6
HUNGERDont just eat, eat right!

• Good nutrition reduces stress
• 3 balanced meals and healthy snacks as needed
• Reduce sweets, caffeine, and nicotine
• YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

7
ANGER / ResentmentWho gets hurt?

• Some forms of depression have been described as
  anger turned inward, giving unresolved anger /
  resentment a negative influence on recovery from
  mood disorders

8
LONELINESS? Develop and use support network

• Recovery is not only an individual I process,
  it is also a mutual We process

9
TIREDNESS? Fatigue makes cowards of us all . .
.

• Sleep Hygiene
• Block out and protect sleep time
• Develop a pre-sleep routine
• Adjust lights temperature

10
Be Physically Active

• When tempted to use a substance to
  self-medicate depression or anxiety, physical
  exercise can be a constructive, healthy
  alternative

11
Exercise

• Treat yourself to EXERCISE each day
• It relaxes, calms, and reduces tension.
• Produces brain chemicals that make you feel good.
• Helps improve sleep
• Helps weight control
• HELPS YOU FEEL GOOD!!!

12
Seek Perspective . . .

• Find out about other peoples situations
• Volunteer to help someone worse off than you

13
Spirituality

• Prayer Meditation Practice listening to and
  coming into the presence of your Higher Power -
  praying only for knowledge of my HPs will for
  me and the power to carry it out. (Step 11)
• Conversation with your Higher Power

• Turning it over
• Letting Go (Let go and let God)
• Journaling - keeping a personal record of
  thoughts, feelings, ideas
• Spiritual Fellowship - friendship based on shared
  spirituality

14
Other Traditional 12-Step Recovery Tools

• Going to meetings
• Using a sponsor
• Daily reading of recovery literature
• Calling other recovering people on the phone
• Working the Steps
• Participating in service work
• Carrying the message of recovery

15
More Recovery Tools

• Whatever works (and is healthy)
• Daydreaming
• Humor / Laughing
• Playing
• Music
• Reading
• Taking a walk
• Singing

• Taking a hot bath
• Soaking your feet
• Massage
• Relaxation tools
• Deep Breathing
• Tense/Relax muscles

16
Dont Crash and Burn!!!