If you’re pursuing an education after completing treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), you may face unique challenges. According to an article In Focus: Journal of Life Long Learning in Psychiatry, “U.S. college campuses have witnessed a national increase of cannabis, stimulant, and illicit drug use among students over the past decade.” The authors continue, “Several risk factors for substance use are specific to this population, including an affiliation with Greek life, perception of high academic pressure, and peer pressure.” The Guest House emphasizes the importance of staying grounded during school events to strengthen recovery.
How Can Academic Events Impact Mental Health and Recovery?
Academic events can affect your mental health and recovery from SUD by causing additional stress, increasing the severity of symptoms like cravings, and reducing access to support networks. In addition, during school events, you are more likely to interact with individuals who abuse or encourage the abuse of substances. As you might have heard, college campuses are having an increase in alcohol and drug abuse. Of course, maintaining sobriety is more difficult when you witness or socialize with others who are abusing alcohol or drugs.
School events also have positive effects on your mental health, which may include the following:
- Reducing social isolation
- Fostering a sense of purpose
- Encouraging cognitive growth
- Building self-esteem
- Improving emotional resilience
- Promoting healthy coping mechanisms
Your mental health will affect how you respond to various stressors in your life. Finding ways to increase positive mental health during school events reduces your risk of relapse and allows you to manage sobriety effectively. Utilizing your resources and coping skills can help you manage SUD during school activities. Grounding techniques are an excellent way to stay focused and avoid being distracted by cravings or other symptoms of SUD.
The Benefits of Staying Grounded During School Events
Grounding exercises like meditation and positive self-talk give you a safe way to reconnect with the moment as soon as you begin to spiral into a negative head space. Many grounding techniques, including deep breathing and relaxation exercises, can lower stress or anxiety during school events. Regularly practicing multiple forms of grounding at home may make it easier to utilize them in real-world situations.
The primary benefits of staying grounded during school events include the following:
- Better emotion regulation
- Reduced side effects from triggers
- Increased focus and concentration
Grounding techniques are ideal for individuals who feel overstimulated in social settings. Mental refocusing reduces the “noise” of being surrounded by people.
Staying Grounded Helps You Achieve Your Goals
Grounding exercises can help you successfully navigate school functions and achieve your academic goals. Staying focused on what is happening and not on the triggers or symptoms of SUD makes it easier to accomplish your objectives. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “Mindfulness techniques help us [connect to the present moment] by consistently bringing our attention to what is happening right here, right now.”
Some examples of grounding exercises people use during school events include:
- Using taste, touch, smell, sight, and sound to connect with the physical environment
- Consciously relaxing muscle groups to reduce tension
- Repeating a calming phrase or self-affirmation
- Taking a short walk outside
- Using positive mental imagery to reduce anxiety
You can use these exercises to manage triggers, stress, and social anxiety during school events.
Staying Grounded as an Alumni of The Guest House
The clinical team at The Guest House continues to support clients after they transition into aftercare. Alumni have access to ongoing support services and can contact the care team anytime if they need help navigating certain situations or have questions about accessing recovery resources.
Clinicians can offer insights and guidance for students experiencing higher stress levels due to academic activities or events. You can speak with a mental health or addiction recovery specialist about your circumstances and determine how best to maintain sobriety while achieving academic success.
Alumni Support Services for Students
Students in ongoing recovery can take advantage of The Guest House’s alumni support services. Peer support groups, individual therapy, regular check-ins, and other forms of continuing support make it easier to identify and address potential triggers. As an alumnus, you can also access support programs or services for students in recovery.
Some of the alumni services offered at The Guest House include the following:
- Group meetings
- Online sessions for remote support
- Recovery-oriented activities
- Volunteer opportunities
- Psychoeducation and substance abuse education
- Sober sponsors
- Relapse prevention education
- Mental health support
As an alumnus, you can use sober sponsors and other services to maintain abstinence and successfully navigate challenges during school events. Mental health services and the remote check-in process allow students to attend classes while receiving the support they need to remain safe and healthy. The Guest House encourages alumni to also take advantage of community-based resources available for students in recovery. You are not alone in your recovery. The clinical team at The Guest House will continue to help you navigate your recovery as you move forward in your healing.
Alumni returning to school or starting their education after transitioning out of treatment may experience various challenges, including increased anxiety and symptoms related to SUD. Attending school events may cause some people to experience additional stress, which can affect their mental health. Navigating triggers at school events may seem difficult for individuals in early recovery. However, alumni can rely on the skills they learned in treatment and local resources to overcome challenges and manage stressors. At The Guest House, we provide alumni with various services, including help navigating school recovery support programs for individuals in recovery. To learn more about our programs and how we can help students overcome stressors during school events, contact our office today at (855) 483-7800.