12 years ago Michelle and I welcomed our first little one into the world. Ashlynn was born in September that year and our world has never been the same.
It didn’t matter how much preparation we did (and we did a lot) because all of the “theoretical training” didn’t matter when we stepped into the arena of being “real parents”.
All 4 of our children have been relatively easy babies (all of them slept well, none of them had colic,) but it didn’t matter because coming home from the hospital life was forever different.
Transitioning Home
I quickly minimized risky behavior (risky driving, risky activities, etc.) because the whole foundation and purpose of my life changed once I saw what was at stake (a wife, a daughter and the responsibility of creating a healthy culture for them to flourish). I think transitioning from a drug addiction has similar overtones:
- Life MUST change, things can NEVER be the same!
- You must come home different, to return to normal would be “INSANITY”
- Life feels fragile because you suddenly realize, “oh my word, it IS FRAGILE”
- You must make DRAMATIC changes to life and if you don’t you not only hurt yourself, but potentially your family, friends and those you love the most.
As you transition home from an addiction to prescription drugs it’s absolutely critical that you have a game plan in place or else you will only set yourself up for relapse, disappointment and more internal guilt and shame. Consider these three important commitments when transitioning back home.
#1- Create and Cultivate Healthy Rhythms in Your Life!
If you don’t plan to succeed you unknowingly plan to fail. You will want to schedule your day with little to no free-time. Book your day with work, personal enrichment, meetings with people, exercise, etc. You will fall into BIG trouble if you have too much free time by yourself.
#2- Live a Life Accountable to Others
Join AA, Celebrate Recovery or another small group based recovery program that helps carry the weight of recovery.
These groups create a great midweek touch point where you will not only be accountable to your small group but they will also be accountable to you.
It’s this kind of “shared life” that will help you have victory in your battle against prescription drugs.
#3- Celebrate The Little Wins!
Instead of over-promising and under-delivering begin your recovery by celebrating the small victories along the journey. Every week evaluate your growth and celebrate it!
As you transition back into your real world may you come FOREVER changed, committed to health, growth, joy and peace!
About the Author: Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing.
He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
He and his partners have created a website that focuses on the community of Central Oregonians. We are committed to sharing the culture, the landscape, the people, the beauty, the opportunities and the overall incredible community that is “The High Desert”. Please visit The High Desert Life
Addiction Hope is proud to announce the initiation of a special Christian Track of blogs and articles to commemorate the blessing of our sister site, Eating Disorder Hope’s 10th year anniversary. Watch for further content noted as “Christian Track”.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on February 29, 2016
Published on AddictionHope.com