Overcoming Procrastination in the Journey to Recovery

Do you frequently say, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” only to realize that tomorrow never actually comes? If so, you’re not alone. 

Procrastination is a familiar struggle many clients in addiction recovery face. However, putting things off can be detrimental and may even contribute to addiction relapse. 

At Grace Recovery Center, a reputable residential rehab center in Los Angeles, we understand the significance of overcoming procrastination during the journey of addiction recovery.

Continue reading to discover more about the impact of procrastination and learn practical methods to overcome it!

The Effects of Procrastination

Procrastination can have both short-term and long-term effects on an addict’s life. 

In the short term, procrastination causes a lot of stress and anxiety. Putting off tasks until the last minute typically causes us to speed through them, resulting in lower-quality work. 

This low-tier output makes us feel flawed and like we’ve failed, which is especially harsh for clients in addiction recovery. 

In the long term, procrastination can have far worse consequences. Repeatedly delaying tasks creates overwhelming pressure on us and makes it hard to meet deadlines. 

This could lead to you losing a job or failing academically. These addiction triggers can seriously impact someone’s recovery journey.

Why We Procrastinate in Recovery

Understanding why we procrastinate is the first step to crushing it. 

When it comes to addiction recovery, several common reasons contribute to procrastination. Let’s take a closer look:

• Fear of failure: The worry of not succeeding can hold us back from making progress.
• Perfectionism: Striving for perfection can lead to putting off tasks.
• Feeling overwhelmed: The feeling of being overwhelmed by the journey of recovery can result in procrastination.
• Lack of motivation: In the early stages of recovery, we may struggle with motivation due to adverse withdrawal symptoms or feelings of hopelessness.

How to Overcome Procrastination in Recovery

Overcoming procrastination is no walk in the park, but it’s essential to successful addiction recovery. Below are some evidence-based strategies to get you started:

• Divide tasks into small sections: Big tasks can be too much for us to handle, leading to procrastination. Making these seem less intimidating by breaking them into smaller, more manageable chunks can prompt people to start them.
• Set realistic targets: Realistic and achievable goals motivate you and give you a sense of direction.
• Be mindful: This enables one to keep anxiety levels at a minimal level, as well as reduce procrastination.
• Use positive self-talk: Replace negative thoughts with inspiring, motivating self-talk against the fear of failure and perfectionism.
• Develop a network of supportive individuals: This involves friends, relatives, or even peer support groups like AA or NA, who are supportive during times of procrastination in recovery.
• 10-Minute Strategy: Whenever you are evading doing something, decide to only work on it for 10 minutes. The hardest part about beginning is actually starting it; once you commence, however, chances are that until the task ends, you will not stop.
• Reward yourself accordingly: After accomplishing a demanding task, celebrate your progress and triumphs by treating yourself to something pleasurable.
• Tackle any root causes: If, after all this time, you still cannot stop putting things off, maybe there are underlying conditions that need the attention of professionals, like depression or anxiety.
• Self-care: This can enhance motivation and lower the desire for postponement by taking better care of oneself physically, emotionally, and mentally.

These ideas can enable one to beat procrastination to succeed on their journey towards recovery.

Take the First Step to Overcome Procrastination in Addiction Treatment with Grace Recovery 

Overcoming procrastination may be difficult, but it’s a crucial step toward successful recovery. We’re here to help you take that step at Grace Recovery Center. 

Our holistic addiction treatment approach includes detox, medication-assisted therapy, and dual-diagnosis treatment to support you throughout your recovery journey.Don’t let procrastination stand in your way of recovery. Contact us today and start your journey towards a healthier, happier life.