hi refuse2sink ! i first realised iam improving just this year . I am also in recovery and live alone .
i didnt respond to medication and my need for security was too much . what has helped me greatly is meditating and workout . I wud arrange so many things before goin to bed , which cud cost a full hour( ie nothing shld be facing southeast) . so i did this :
1 didnt arranged (did check the locks gas stove etc compulsively though) . 2 before sleeping just sat with my eyes closed . all the fears and doubts were manifesting in my head as visuals . the meditation technic says just watch n watch . i kept doin for few minutes and went to sleep . of course the compulsion to check/arrange was there , anxiety was there but i just thought about the tip given to me just that day by one of my close freind - "dont fall prey to compulsion for just today , oneday only " , and i couldnt believe the satisfaction and power which i felt in the morning .The impetus recieved fueled my desire to repeat my behaviour and there is much confidence gained . Iam much more effecient in dealing with tics too though i am still checkin but we do have to try to keep improving .
i hope my words were useful