Little Wins That Felt Huge in Early Recovery

During early recovery from opioid use disorder, it seems as if the odds are stacked against us. Life is overwhelming, and getting through the day is a huge win within itself. However, there are moments that are life-changing, and these catapult us forward in our recovery journey.

Setting small goals

One of those moments for me was setting small tangible goals and achieving them. It built up my self-esteem and helped me move on with my life. I wasn’t as scared of the unknown, and it helped me escape from being institutionalized.

For example, when I would skate to work, I would immediately deposit what I would have spent on an Uber into my savings. I had saved money for the first time in almost a decade.

Combatting negative self-talk

Another one was when I realized I was already ahead of some folks in some areas of life. I was skating to work, and I was on time every single day. I was often the first one there to open the restaurant despite having to skate 3 miles to get to work.

Eventually, I realized I had qualities about myself that were not only an asset to myself, but others. This helped combat all the negative self-talk within me, which, in early recovery, can be debilitating.

Reflecting on my recovery wins

It may seem so simple, but these moments of reflection were some of the most profound moments of my life. I realized that I had given myself the life that I wanted. My life was full, and I was managing it responsibly.

I was finally able to go with the flow of life and almost consistently make good choices. I could also pick myself up when I didn’t make good choices and learn the lesson the first time around.

In addition, I remember when I found my own voice and was able to communicate effectively for myself and my needs. One doesn’t realize how life-changing that can be until they live it. To me, this skill is a fundamental asset for life, and it has served me in so many ways since I developed it both in my personal life and professionally. This skill changed my life for the better.

Trust the process

I guess you should say I was developing life skills that were a foundation for a successful life. They were practical, and I continue to use them to this day. As I said previously, they helped me go with the flow of life, and I didn’t make it too hard on myself.

Lastly, one of the biggest wins, if not the biggest, was learning what’s meant for me is for me. I wouldn’t get so hung up on things that didn’t work out. I wouldn’t grieve things as long or get hung up on the dreadful "what-ifs," like in a relationship or a job opportunity I wanted. In the long run, it always worked out for me and for the better. I just couldn’t see it in the moment. I learned to trust and believe in the process.

What were some small wins that you celebrated during your opioid use disorder recovery?