Your recovery journey from a substance use or alcohol use disorder begins when you enter a treatment program. When you start your journey to recovery in a substance or alcohol use treatment program, you establish a foundation that will help you stay motivated after your first year of sobriety.
Substance Use Addiction Treatment and Sobriety
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” An alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic, treatable disorder. Your genes or environment can be a part of why you have an AUD or SUD. Substance use disorders cause changes to the prefrontal cortex section of your brain. These changes affect the brain circuits connected to reward, self-control, and stress. At Renaissance Ranch, we understand the importance of treatment because it increases your chance of maintaining sobriety after your first year of sobriety.
Finding Motivation in Treatment
At Renaissance Ranch, you are active in your treatment and remain so after you finish. You are introduced to evidence-based practices that combine a 12-step approach with spiritual and faith-based treatments throughout your treatment. Before you complete your program, you create a recovery treatment plan to support and guide you through the initial recovery phases.
Your personalized plan reflects your needs and the support you want to help you maintain your recovery after the first year of sobriety.
Motivation After the First Year of Sobriety
People who complete a substance and/or alcohol use treatment program are less likely to relapse in their first year of sobriety. Using the tools you learned while you received treatment for substance use and/or alcohol use disorders is vital to your recovery. One study, “Rates and Predictors of Relapse After Natural and Treated Remission From Alcohol Use Disorders,” explains the importance of relying on those tools.
Remaining motivated after your first year of sobriety involves several things. When you share your need to stay motivated with your friends and family, you create a support community. With your community, you can access internal and external motivation.
Internal and External Motivation
Motivation is the beginning of your path, the intensity you place on achieving goals, and your persistence. Your passion and drive often determine your success in staying motivated. There are two aspects to motivation: internal and external motivation.
Internal Motivation
Internal (intrinsic) motivation is the incentive to finish a goal or task because it’s interesting or satisfying. You don’t seek a reward once you complete the task or goal. You perform at your best when you’re engaged in an activity using internal motivation. Learning to use internal motivation will increase your resilience against obstacles and allow you to achieve your goals. Using internal motivation will also bring more happiness into your life. You can discover internal motivation by
- Find the bigger picture. Focusing on this can give you a sense of value for your steps to stay motivated after your first year of sobriety.
- It would be best if you focused on manageable steps first. When you focus on and complete easy tasks first, you feel you have achieved something. This will keep you motivated.
- Change patterns. It’s easy to fall into a pattern and stop challenging yourself. Try different ways to stay motivated and reach your goals.
- Learn to channel frustration. Everyone becomes frustrated. Don’t let frustration lead you to negative thoughts or actions. Use the healthy coping skills you learned in treatment to decrease adverse thoughts and feelings.
Creating internal motivation will take time and practice. The good news is that once you start seeing the positive results, you will continue to include the skills you learned.
External Motivation
When you’re motivated by external sources, for example, trophies or complements, you’re motivated by external sources. Some people may not be interested or engaged in the task but seek the reward. External motivation can include negative emotions like stress or worrying about social approval. External motivation can also
- Increase social compliance or speed of task completion
- Lead to tasks being done despite little to no interest in the task
- If the reward is removed, motivation is decreased
Motivation Tips
Whether your motivation is internal, external, or a combination, you can use these tips to stay motivated after your first year of sobriety.
- Think about your “why”
- Give yourself grace – be kind to yourself
- Trust yourself
- Have an accountability partner – a 12-Step program, alumni group, or loved ones
Here at Renaissance Ranch, we encourage our clients to join our Band of Brothers alumni group. We also want you to stay involved with us and know we’re here for you.
Staying Motivated in Recovery
Staying motivated isn’t always easy. After you leave your treatment program, you face the challenges of adjusting to your new life. That’s why when you complete treatment at Renaissance Ranch, we are committed to helping you face the challenges of recovery. While you’re transitioning to a life without substances or alcohol, it can be difficult. But remembering the healthy, safe coping skills you gained with us is vital.
Staying motivated can be challenging. After you leave your treatment program, you face the challenges of adjusting to your new life. That’s why when you complete treatment at Renaissance Ranch, we are committed to helping you face the challenges of recovery. But remembering the healthy, safe coping skills you gained with us is vital. While you’re in treatment, we help you build the skills, confidence, and motivation you need to successfully maintain your sobriety during and after the first year of sobriety. Your individualized recovery plan will guide you as you navigate recovery. And the support you receive in our alumni group keeps you motivated and engaged. To learn more about Renaissance Ranch call (801) 308-8898.