If you are struggling with overcoming challenges related to substance abuse on your own, there’s no shame in reaching out for help in this incredibly challenging endeavor. The important thing is if and not how you achieve lifelong recovery, so entering addiction treatment may be your best bet if you cannot conquer your addiction on your own. One of the greatest challenges of early recovery is controlling the impulse to relapse. In fact, some of the biggest challenges of addiction recovery are those that recovering addicts face in their first few weeks of sobriety. Handling emotions of any kind can be a relapse trigger, and this is especially true in early recovery.
Once you are sober, it’s essential to surround yourself with friends and family members who appreciate and support your goals. They can help motivate you through the ups and downs of early recovery and remind you why you chose to walk this path. Here are some tips for overcoming loneliness in addiction recovery. Loneliness and isolation affect
everyone from time to time, but it is important that you address feelings of
isolation, depression, and anxiety with a professional.
Creating Connections in Early Recovery
Transitioning from a treatment facility back to normal life is often more challenging than people realize. They go from a highly structured, sheltered, and supportive environment back to basically the same environment where their drinking and drug use was out of control. loneliness in sobriety There is a big difference between coping with problems in a controlled environment and coping in real life. This might take the form of stepping down to a lower level of care such as an intensive outpatient program, a sober living environment, or transitional services.
- While this challenge can often be a function of distraction, it can also be its own problem.
- One of the first challenges in substance use disorder treatment is mood swings in early recovery.
- The important thing is if and not how you achieve lifelong recovery, so entering addiction treatment may be your best bet if you cannot conquer your addiction on your own.
When people quit, they suddenly find they have loads of free time and they aren’t sure what to do with it. However, maintaining sobriety and reclaiming your life still is absolute possible. Another way to manage loneliness is by communicating with loved ones and people in your support group. It’s important that we stay in touch with people who care about us and who understand us by making an effort to build meaningful connections with them. We should also take time for ourselves and practice mindful meditation, which can help us stay grounded and connected to our emotions.
Community Cooking
And we learn to keep ourselves occupied – solo – for hours on end, without the need for connection and reassurance from parents or caregivers. Our kids spend countless hours before screens, seemingly with no one able to stop them. In fact, many parents welcome “the cheap babysitter.” And instead of warning against too much screen time, many teachers require their students to get their teaching online.
Those who attempt to find new connections with sober roots (or rekindling old ones) may have an easier time staying sober. Consider attending self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. These groups are designed specifically to help people in early recovery get the support they need. New hobbies and new jobs could also introduce you to people you have never met before. A person in early recovery has taken vital steps toward health and happiness but may still experience drug or alcohol cravings and have conflicting desires.
APPLY FOR TREATMENT
Most inpatient treatment facilities structure programs to include socialization opportunities. Whether it’s just playing board games or going out for a bit of fun at the beach, you should try to seize the opportunity to make new friends. This becomes even https://ecosoberhouse.com/ more critical during early recovery, when feelings and emotions remain raw and the temptation to use is never far from the mind. In fact, many addicts report that loneliness is, or was, a big part of what drew them to drugs or alcohol in the first place.
- You take positive steps every day to stay on your program, stay in recovery, and stay sober.
- This is because it is during this time period that relapse is most likely to occur.
- It is important for our loved ones to receive the proper treatment
they require in early treatment as well. - Because of these factors, and a tendency to focus more on the new relationship than recovery, experts recommend abstaining from developing new relationships for one year.
- Try not to let this get you down; new relationships with those in recovery and recharged relationships with loved ones will sustain you.
The body and mind may react strongly to the sudden absence of substances, making it extremely difficult to live without the drugs they have become accustomed to. Healing from addiction is a journey that begins with a commitment to sobriety. Your loved one should stop substance use, develop new habits, and establish daily routines.
How Do You Teach Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol?
Frequent participation in a 12-step or other addiction recovery group is another excellent strategy for keeping you accountable and overcoming loneliness. Contrary to common misconceptions, hearing other people’s stories can inspire you to continue pursuing your goals of lifelong sobriety instead of tempting you back into substance abuse. You can also use the fellowship found in your recovery group as encouragement. Social support is pivotal to long-term recovery, as long as those individuals support your sobriety.
