Once you have completed a program in a substance abuse rehab in South Africa you need to start re-entering your normal daily routine. A lot of people experience great anxiety around the new experience of trying to live sober. They wonder how they will cope with the stresses of life and minimize the chance of relapse. Here are 8 tips to help you stay sober.

One: Adhere to the recommendations that the rehab gave you. The staff in drug and alcohol treatment rehabs are experienced in helping addicts to live without drugs. They have studied and obtained qualifications that inform their experience working in the field. Rehab facilities always want their clients to stay clean and sober and find meaningful addiction recovery. Learn to trust their expert suggestions and try to follow them.

Two: There is an acronym known as HALT that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Take good care of your body, mind, and soul. Avoid putting yourself in a situation where you become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. This means you should eat regular nutritious meals, get a good nights sleep, visit sober friends, and remember to take a break when you're feeling tired.

Three: Make sure that you have a social support network when you leave treatment. If you can afford to make sure that you attend a step-down facility. Attend every aftercare session available to you at the drug rehab clinic. Find a 12 step fellowship such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous to help you continue working an active program of addiction recovery. Get a sponsor who has experience in staying sober and is willing to help you.

Four: Use the life skills that you learned in rehab. A large part of a treatment program focuses on learning new coping strategies that don't involve drugs. Living in a community of recovering addicts taught you how to deal with social pressure. Remember to call your social support network and ask for help!

Five: Your treatment shouldn't end when you leave rehab. Most rehab centers in South Africa offer ongoing aftercare counseling sessions and group therapy. Join a mutual help group such as a 12 Step fellowship and get involved: Don't just sit in a meeting - do some service like packing out chairs. The support that you get from being in a community of recovering addicts is tremendous. Attending meetings means that you are deliberately spending time focusing on recovery which puts more distance between you and your addictive substance abuse.

Six: Manage your time carefully. Avoid putting yourself in a situation where you have lots of free time and very little to do. Instead of sitting around doing nothing try and use your social support network to organize activities. Try joining a sports club or starting a new hobby. If you're not employed make your job to be seeking employment. Don't spend too much time alone in your head.

Seven: Before leaving the alcohol treatment clinic you would have developed an exit plan. This plan would have listed your triggers and danger areas. It would also have laid out some ideas for structuring your time and who you can call if you need help. It is a map for your first few months of recovery designed to help keep you headed in the right direction. Remember that it was developed in conjunction with a substance abuse treatment expert so ignoring the plan is a dangerous idea.

Eight: If you do happen to slip and pick up a drink or drug call your social support network immediately. Don't let shame or guilt prevent you from quickly owning up! This is a chronically relapsing illness and many people relapse several times before finding long-term recovery. Rather admit the problem and take corrective steps as soon as possible. It is a lot easier to detox and get back into recovery after one night of using than it is after a month or two! Try and learn something from the slip by processing it openly and honestly with your counselor and sponsor.

Recovery from substance abuse is a life-long process. Although the early days are difficult we find it is easier as we go along. Recovery becomes less about stopping drugs and more about becoming a better person. Rehab is just the first step on this exciting and rewarding journey. It is not a miracle cure that can "fix" you in 28 days. It is simply an introduction to a new way of life. Ultimately the responsibility for your recovery is yours. The sooner that you learn to take full responsibility for all of your actions and emotions then that much sooner will you be able to live life in meaningful recovery.