What Are Your Early Warning Signs?

For many people in recovery, early warning signs can be crucial indicators that it's time to take a step back and evaluate their progress. These signs can manifest in different ways for different people, but they all serve as reminders that maintaining recovery requires ongoing effort and commitment. Here are some common early warning signs to watch out for:

1. Feelings of Stress and Distress

These feelings can be triggered by a variety of factors, including increased work pressure, relationship issues, or life changes. It's important to address these emotions in a healthy way, such as attending therapy, support groups, or self-care practices like exercise or meditation.

2. Social Isolation

Isolating oneself from social connections and support networks is a common early warning sign of a lapse. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as shame, guilt, or a desire to avoid triggers. It's important to stay connected to others who understand your journey and can provide you with support and accountability.

3. Dismissing Self-Care:

Dismissing self-care, such as sleep, exercise, and healthy eating, can be an early warning sign that you're losing focus on your recovery. These habits are important for physical and emotional well-being and can help you stay resilient in the face of stress and challenges.

Early warning signs can be valuable when recognised so that strategies to manage them can be created. By acknowledging these signs and taking proactive steps to address them, you can maintain recovery. Remember, recovery is a journey, and setbacks and challenges are a natural part of the process. With self-awareness, support, and perseverance, you can navigate these challenges and continue to make progress towards a healthier, and more fulfilling life. Zooming out and acknowledging early warning signs that occurred in the lead up to a lapse or relapse in the past can also be useful to see what helped you overcome them.