Why Saying NO is an Essential Part of Addiction Recovery
Published: November 12, 2020
When speaking of “saying no,” many are probably thinking of a door getting slammed on a visitor’s face. And frankly, everyone gets a little bit guilty when objecting or refusing an opinion from a favorite friend. This is particularly the condition with a person recovering from addiction.
Nonetheless, we must clear this up before reading any further; saying “no” does not necessarily imply a negative attitude in slamming the door to a stranger. Saying no is all about setting healthy boundaries that can improve your relationship with friends and relatives. This means that your friends should respect your co-values and privacy.
If you have finalized a rehab program and relocating to home, you’ll meet some old friends still caught up in the old unwanted habit. These friends will expect you to join them and will make an effort as much as possible to pull your legs. Consequently, you’ll be set on a crossroads where you have to decide from complicated options. The best thing to do is to say, “No.”
Start by Saying No to Small Things
While saying no to significant events can be challenging at the onset of recovery, a person can accumulate confidence by saying no to small things. Start by saying no to stuff like excess sugar, excess oil, excess salts, and all other unnecessary stuff. When ready to take the game to the next level, proceed by saying no to provocative television programs. This implies a resumption of watching television but with minor restrictions.
Once you’ve earned confidence in saying no to small things, you can choose to try it in public gatherings. If you’re at a party and uncomfortable with saying no, you can protect your boundary by giving calculated excuses. Some great responses include:
My doctor says I am in critical health, so I can’t use any more substances
I’m training for a marathon race that will occur tomorrow
I’ve got a relative visitor today, and I can’t afford disappointments
Nobody cares whether you’re telling the truth or not. Furthermore, your statements should be clear and final. No room should be opened for any additional bargain. Saying no should be a breeze when equipped with impressive responses.
Understand Why You’re Saying No
Sometimes the journey towards recovery can throw significant challenges—difficult for the mind to elude. This may majorly occur if a person lacks the basic understanding of why he/she should recover. Set aside some few minutes and contemplate the consequences of relapsing to addiction.
Recognize that a relapse can be accompanied by chronic mental or physical illness. Some deterioration may imply a new therapy, while others may imply more necessary effort required from your end. Consider how much trust would be torn apart between you and your loved ones. After taking the time to comprehend your reason for recovery, you will feel confident when saying no to an addicted friend.
Maintain a Robust Willed Group
Nothing is as powerful as a group of people sharing a common goal and each having the ability to say no. For a person recovering from addiction, you can achieve success by joining a gym club, yoga club, or aerobic club.
Make No Apologies
If you happen to run yourself across a problematic friend, say no and don’t apologize. It’s uncommon to find friends who want to brand you “loser” names at the expense of your favorable decision. One thing to keep in mind is that you can’t be nice to all your friends at hand. One way or another, they will have to accept your new journey or continue with their old nature.