The journey toward sobriety requires significant effort, dedication, and determination to confront the challenges associated with substance abuse. Emotional challenges should not be overlooked, as they can often derail even the most well-intentioned recovery efforts. Understanding and addressing these emotional challenges is a crucial part of addiction recovery.
Coming to Terms With the Impact of Addiction on Your Life
Once you’re no longer actively using drugs and alcohol, you’ll need to make peace with your past substance abuse and all of the negative effects it has had on your life. Estrangement from family and friends, job loss, financial difficulties, legal problems, and health challenges caused by prolonged substance abuse are just a few of the consequences that you might need to come to terms with before you can move forward in your recovery.
None of us can change the past, but you don’t need to let your previous mistakes continue to define your future. You have the power to make healthy choices and work toward being the best possible version of yourself.
Addressing Past Trauma
Often, people in treatment for substance use disorders first turned to drugs and alcohol to help them cope with a traumatic event from their past. For example, addiction is common among those in law enforcement and the military due to the traumatic experiences they are exposed to in the line of duty. Child abuse or domestic violence victims also commonly seek solace in substance use.
It is essential that you recognize and address the impact of past trauma in order to prevent relapse and reach a state of lasting sobriety. This could involve seeking professional counseling, engaging in a regular meditation practice, or taking other steps to resolve the continuing impact of specific traumas in your life.
Guilt or Shame Related to Past Substance Abuse
It is important to acknowledge your feelings of guilt and shame but not dwell on them. Instead, focus on taking positive steps toward a healthier future. Acknowledging what was done wrong and working to make amends can be very helpful in moving forward.
In 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), making amends is part of Step 8 and Step 9.
- Step 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Step 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Feeling Hopeless When Progress Seems Slow or Non-Existent
The process of recovery can be long and arduous, with many obstacles and setbacks along the way. It is not uncommon to feel discouraged or hopeless when progress seems slow or non-existent.
When you’re feeling frustrated, it is important to remember that small steps are still progress, and that recovery can be a process of taking two (or more) steps forward, then one step back. A supportive recovery community can be invaluable in providing strength and encouragement during these times.
Anger Management
Anger in recovery is more common than you might think. You might feel anger towards those who’ve hurt you in the past, or you might be angry that others are failing to recognize how hard you’re working to treat your addiction.
Finding healthy ways to manage your anger is a key component of the recovery process—especially if you used to turn to drugs or alcohol to help you cope. This might include yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, positive distractions, or even cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Fear of Relapse
Relapse is an ever-present fear in recovery. You should be aware of your personal triggers, such as certain people or places, and take steps to avoid them when necessary. Developing a strong support system and having a plan for handling cravings can help reduce the risk of relapse.
Although it’s always a good idea to take all reasonable precautions to avoid relapse, it’s also important to realize that a relapse isn’t the end of the world. Addiction is a chronic illness, which means that relapses may happen as you’re trying to find a specific treatment plan that fits your unique needs. If you relapse, your treatment team can work with you to find a way to get back on track.
St. Joseph Institute Is Here to Help
Recovering from addiction is a complex process that involves addressing and overcoming a range of issues that may have contributed to your substance use disorder. While the emotional challenges of recovery seem daunting, they are a necessary part of your journey toward growth and healing.
At St. Joseph Institute, we help men and women with substance use disorders establish the healthy habits that are key to maintaining sobriety and providing a strong foundation for recovery. Our Pennsylvania substance use treatment center provides a full continuum of care, including detox, counseling, 12-Step support, chronic pain management, and alumni services, so clients can confidently face the future. Want to learn more? Call to speak to a specialist about our rehab for drug addiction and alcohol abuse treatment, or complete our online contact form.
