Finding Balance

Balance in our lives means finding a balance between the things we need and the things we want.  There are as many factors that contribute to, or detract from, that balance as there are types of individuals.  For the purposes of this program, we will cover two important factors that generally pertain to everyone. Those factors are managing stress, and developing a community of support.

Stress is best managed when one has a balanced lifestyle in which biological, social, recreational, emotional, and intellectual needs are being satisfied.  Stress is a real experience.  It has physical, relational, and emotional dimensions.

There is a list of skills and techniques that you can use to manage stress.  These skills include breathing and relaxation techniques, exercise, and simply talking with others.  This is a skill set that can be learned and developed.  While not the easiest for everyone, the most important of these skills is talking with others.  Verbal outlets are important and can help you put things in perspective. Often it is not so much that the person you are talking with has a solution, but that there is value in simply being heard.

Balance is dependent on a system of support. Whether it is your treatment provider alone, your family, or your friends, it is important to develop a community of support. Most people have some sort of social network or system that supports them.  These systems usually develop naturally as a result of how we live our lives.  People with addictive disease develop a system of support that either consciously, or unconsciously, supports their addiction.

It can be difficult to develop a system that supports recovery because it must be pursued deliberately.  Most people who recover from addiction and remain alcohol or drug free, do so because of their treatment.

There are a number of support groups available. From 12 Step programs to Rational Group programs, there are recovery specific groups for every individual. AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and CA (Cocaine Anonymous), are all leading recovery support groups. Another group is MA (Marijuana Anonymous). The Rational Groups, Rational Recovery and Smart Recovery, came about as alternatives to the spiritual aspects of the 12 step programs.  These groups are based on the principles of Rational-Emotive Therapy, emphasizing rational thought, belief systems, and decision-making processes. 

There are striking differences from group to group and location to location. It is wise to try a number of them before making a decision about them all. All of these groups are at the center of a complete community that is vital and lively, with all the dysfunction you’ll find anywhere else.  They’re just alcohol and drug free.