The Importance of a Structured Daily Routine in Recovery

Individuals recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) may not have much experience creating daily routines. However, the structure and familiarity of a daily routine help build confidence and reduce the risk of relapse. According to Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, “Research has found that individuals who are in recovery have up to 16 to 18 hours of new, unoccupied free time as they no longer require time spent for obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of substances.” For many people, an “obstacle during early recovery is finding new meaningful activities in which to fill these new hours.” West Coast Recovery Centers provides clients the tools and resources to create a structured daily routine supporting ongoing recovery. 

A Structured Daily Routine Provides a Blueprint for Healthy Living

Daily routines help people stay on track with their recovery. The structure acts as a blueprint for building healthy behaviors. For example, people are more likely to eat balanced meals and maintain other positive lifestyle changes by creating a specific meal time on their daily schedule. According to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, “Observational research indicates that individuals in good health engage in highly routine health behaviors.” Consistency in daily activities also promotes accountability and keeps people engaged in treatment. 

Daily routines improve healthy behaviors by doing the following: 

• Reducing decision fatigue 
• Encouraging self-discipline 
• Increasing balance in multiple areas of a person's life 
• Reducing stress and anxiety 
• Making it easier to track recovery progress 

People often feel more capable of maintaining sobriety if they know what to expect from each day. Creating a detailed daily schedule can remove some of the anxiety of the unknown and boost self-esteem. Scheduling also reinforces positive habits and routines. 

Benefits of Creating a Structured Daily Routine

Daily schedules improve overall health and wellness by ensuring people maintain routines and healthy behaviors. Individuals who create effective schedules manage their stress better, leading to a greater sense of control and improved focus. 

Some other benefits of daily routines include: 

• Better sleep quality 
• Improved time management 
• Increased efficiency and productivity 
• Improved decision-making 
• More achievable goals
• A greater work-life balance
• Greater accountability 

Recovery from substance abuse can be challenging for some people due to the additional free time they previously spent misusing substances. Filling that gap with healthy activities helps people heal more quickly.  

Schedules Promote Stability and Consistency

A daily schedule helps people visualize how long it may take them to complete various tasks. For example, people may want to spend time with their loved ones, go to dinner with friends, attend therapy sessions, and complete 20 minutes of exercise. A schedule will lay out all of these activities, setting aside space for each and providing a visual guide. After writing everything down, a person may decide to move specific tasks to another day if it becomes apparent they will not have time to complete all of them in one day. Setting realistic goals using daily schedules reduces stress, improves self-awareness, and increases self-efficacy. 

Daily schedules promote stability and consistency by providing a sense of control and making it easier to balance various activities. Creating a plan for each day reduces anxiety and increases self-awareness. Preparing in advance also reinforces positive behaviors and habits. Individuals with family responsibilities often find it more convenient to create a daily schedule for all their tasks to ensure they do not miss important deadlines or family events. 

How West Coast Recovery Centers Help Clients Develop a Structured Daily Routine

The addiction recovery and mental health experts at West Coast Recovery Centers help clients identify areas they can change to improve their quality of life. Planning ahead for each day helps people feel more confident about managing their condition independently. The care team helps clients develop a daily routine by providing a structured treatment plan and weekly schedule. A daily schedule sets the foundation for a sober future for many people. Clients collaborate closely with their care team to create a daily schedule to support ongoing recovery.

Maintaining Structured Routines Post-Treatment

During treatment, clients have a weekly schedule to follow. However, post-treatment, clients must learn to make their own schedules. Many tools are available to help people create structured daily routines. People use many convenient methods for scheduling their days, including:

• Built-in calendar reminders on cellphones and other smart devices
• Downloadable apps or programs 
• Wall calendars 
• Pocket and notebook calendars 

People choose a method and medium that best suits their lifestyle and needs. Some individuals write a simple list on their refrigerator, while others have a detailed daily timeline written out on their computer. West Coast Recovery Centers helps clients discover what method works best for them to ensure they continue to make progress in their recovery after transitioning out of treatment. 

A structured daily schedule is an essential part of building new healthy routines for individuals recovering from SUD. Chronic alcohol or drug abuse can affect how people process the passage of time and their ability to complete daily tasks. A structured schedule keeps people on track and accountable. In addition, it ensures people know what to expect from each day and reduces the amount of free time they must fill. Boredom and stress are two common risk factors for relapse. A daily schedule can reduce both risks by keeping people engaged and focused. West Coast Recovery Centers encourages clients to use daily planning and other tools to maintain sobriety. To learn more about our programs, call (760) 492-6509.