During early addiction recovery, the challenges of daily life may seem overwhelming. Due to the effects of substance use, many of those who enter treatment struggle with making decisions, completing routine tasks, or managing their daily lives. But life skills training can help them gain or strengthen these crucial abilities.
We recognize the importance of helping clients acquire skills that enable them to succeed in their recovery goals. Contact us at 855.579.8599 to learn more about life skills training at Virtues Behavioral Health.
What Are Essential Life Skills?
An essential life skill is any skill that allows you to deal effectively with everyday life challenges. While everyone has different opinions on which skills are the most essential, some skills are relevant for any situation.
According to the World Health Organization, there is no definitive list of life skills. However, they have identified six key areas of life skills as essential. These are:
- Decision-making and problem solving
- Critical thinking and creative thinking
- Self-awareness and empathy
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Resilience and ability to cope with problems
- Assertiveness and self-control
These skills are helpful in all aspects of daily life and have proven effective in relapse prevention. A person who feels in control of life is less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol.
5 Benefits of a Life Skills Treatment Center
Life skills classes for adults in addiction treatment provide clients an opportunity to gain social, intellectual, and emotional tools for success while reestablishing their place within their families and communities.
The five most significant benefits of life skills training in California are described below.
1. Improved Health Through Nutrition and Hygiene
Long-term substance use leads to many health problems. The chemicals in drugs and alcohol cause damage to major body organs. Substance use disorders (SUDs) can also cause malnutrition, weight changes, and dental problems. Some of these health issues result from a lack of hygiene and poor nutrition, which is common with SUDs.
Life skills training in California includes teaching clients the importance of nutrition and hygiene. Clients learn how to plan and prepare nutritious meals and establish a regular hygiene routine in these courses.
2. Better Social Skills
Learning new ways to socialize without using substances is not easy for many people with SUDs. They may associate fun and friendship with alcohol and drug use. A life skills treatment center teaches people in recovery better, healthier ways to entertain themselves.
3. Effective Time Management Skills
Learning practical time management skills helps keep a person on track during recovery. Setting a schedule and sticking to it is essential for preventing boredom or restlessness that can lead to relapse. Time management also keeps a person accountable for daily accomplishments.
4. Improved Employment Skills
Finding a job after rehab is essential for relapse prevention. When a person feels good about their ability to provide for their own daily needs, their sense of self-worth improves. Life skills classes for adults include teaching clients how to conduct themselves in a job interview, prepare a resume, and manage their finances.
5. Developing Effective Coping Skills
Many people use addictive substances as a way to escape painful emotions or avoid daily stress. In recovery, they learn healthy ways to cope with these issues.
Our life skills program in California teaches a range of effective coping mechanisms such as exercise, music and art, outdoor activities, journaling, and more. We help clients choose activities that align with their talents and interests.
Our Life Skills Program at Virtues Behavioral Health
At Virtues Behavioral Health, we strive to help clients gain the life skills needed for success in recovery and life. We offer a multi-faceted program that can be customized to suit each client’s unique needs.
Learn more about our life skills program in California. Contact us at 855.579.8599 to speak with one of the well-informed representatives at Virtues Behavioral Health today.
