The process of sustained recovery is not only found in the abstinence of substances but also in how you care for yourself. Recovery encompasses supporting the healing of every part of you in mind, body, and spirit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), well-being has a broad definition that encompasses perceiving life in a positive light and feeling good. Moreover, well-being includes positive emotions, life satisfaction, fulfillment, and positive functioning. Through the power of self-care, you can find positive well-being for sustained recovery.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know true healing cannot start until you address your traumatic experiences and rebuild a connection to yourself and others. Through an attachment approach to recovery, you have learned in treatment the value of connection. Thus, your surrender to doing the work of rediscovering and rebuilding connection has taught you that healing is a whole-person process.

You have learned that healing and connection are not only found in attachment with others like your peers. Rather, healing and connection can also be found in deepening your awareness and understanding of your inner self. In particular, the power of self-care is an important part of the recovery process, as well as maintaining recovery through an inner connection to the self.

Furthermore, well-being is a whole-person process that must incorporate numerous aspects for lasting recovery:

• Physical
• Mental
• Emotional
• Economic
• Social

Thus, understanding the power of self-care can help you build resilience for sustained recovery.

What Is Self-Care?

According to the International Journal of Nursing Sciences, self-care is your ability to care for yourself through self-awareness, self-control, and self-reliance. Moreover, you utilize awareness, self-control, and self-reliance to achieve, promote, or maintain your well-being.

Yet, how do you gain or engage in the power of self-care? The power of self-care can be promoted and supported in settings like healthcare, work, school, and home. Moreover, the power of self-care can be fostered and grown from your inner self, family, and community, which highlights the fundamental principles of self-care:

• Autonomy
• Self-efficacy
• Empowerment
• Community involvement and empowerment

Looking at the principles of the power of self-care acknowledges that your health in mind, body, and spirit is only possible with your participation. Thus, you have a deeper understanding of self-care as a part of the dynamic process of shared decision-making. With more insight into the self-directed and co-production nature of self-care, you can understand the power of self-care as a tool for maintaining recovery.

How Does the Power of Self-Care Support Recovery?

Challenges with substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental health disorders can cause impairments. As a result, health issues like chronic pain can take a toll on your well-being. Therefore, the power of self-care can act as a tool to address a wide range of physical and psychological impairments.

As noted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the power of self-care is made up of eight areas known as the circle of health. Further, with the circle of health, you can recognize their interrelated nature as aspects of a whole. Thus, when one area of your well-being is neglected, other areas suffer and impede your ability to meet your full potential.

Moreover, the eight areas of self-care that support sustained recovery include:

• Mindful awareness
• Physical activity
• Environment
  • The sense of safety you feel in your surroundings supports the power of self-care
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Personal development
  • The power of self-care allows you to find balance in your home, work, and school life
• Interpersonal relationships
• Mind-body connection
• Spirit and soul
  • Finding meaning and purpose in your life

Now, you can see how the physical and psychological aspects of SUD and mental health disorders impede self-care behaviors.

The Impact of SUD and Mental Health on Self-Care

Challenges with SUD can have a profound impact on physical and mental health:

• Physical
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Liver damage
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
• Mental
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

When SUD and co-occurring disorders are left unaddressed, they impair your health. As a result, challenges with impairments make it difficult to engage in self-care behaviors. Thus, a cycle of maladaptive coping strategies persists as each aspect of well-being harms the other. Although SUD and co-occurring disorders can impede self-care, learning how to practice self-care can help reduce those impairments.

The Power of Self-Care: Supporting Well-Being

Through the power of self-care, the cycle of harm from SUD co-occurring disorders can be broken. Moreover, the power of self-care does not stop when you leave treatment. Therefore, the power of self-care is something you can continue to foster in recovery. Some of the ways you can foster self-care beyond treatment include:

• Regular mealtimes
• Sleep routine
• Mindful yoga
• Find support from peers and loved ones
• Go on walks to connect with yourself and nature

By practicing the different tools in your self-care toolbox, you can support your well-being and maintain recovery.

Fostering Recovery Through the Power of Self-Care at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we know sustained, courageous recovery is made possible by a strong and vibrant alumni program. Through an active and vibrant alumni program, you have access to a wide range of services and activities. Whether you are looking for ways to support your physical health, connect with yourself, or connect with others, we can help you thrive. During your time in treatment, you built tools that strengthened the mind, body, and spirit.

However, the strengthening of the mind, body, and spirit is a lifelong journey. Through a vibrant alumni program, you are reminded every day to invest in your self-care for lasting recovery and wellness. Thus, you can find opportunities for self-care and sustained recovery in community meetings and sober activities, as well as fulfillment in service opportunities. With our commitment to community integration, you can start a new way of living in your everyday life. Therefore, being an active participant in your alumni program can support the power of self-care through connection.

Challenges with substance misuse and other mental health disorders can impair self-care behaviors. Thus, impairments to aspects like physical, mental, emotional, social, and economic well-being create a cycle of harm to each other. However, through treatment and access to an active alumni program, you can build self-care tools to support well-being and lasting recovery. Through active participation in things like meetings, sober activities, and service opportunities, you can foster self-care through connection, physical activity, and meaningful community work. Therefore, at Driftwood Recovery, we are committed to providing access to a robust and peer-driven network that supports you no matter where you are on your recovery journey. To learn more, call us at (512) 759-8330 today.