Loneliness can be a difficult emotion to manage and can have an adverse effect on our mental health if we start to isolate. But there are ways to combat loneliness in recovery and make sure that we don’t feel isolated and alone. Being around positive people can have a huge impact on our overall wellbeing. It can make you feel more energized and motivated, and can help keep negative thoughts at bay. The idea of HALT is a great way to remember the signs needed to take a break or reach out for support from someone positive in your life. Battling drug or alcohol addiction is a lengthy and difficult process.
Coping with Loneliness
You need the three P’s in your addiction recovery to achieve and sustain sobriety. They can provide you with balance, stability, and joy during this difficult time, eventually building a life of hope and positivity. Over time, secluding yourself can worsen mental and emotional health, which can be a significant setback for anyone recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/mash-sober-living-eco-sober-house-is-now-mash-certified/ The most crucial aspect of your recovery journey is maintaining healthy relationships with your sponsor, support group, or counselor. Doing so can improve or evolve the nature of your interactions and your relationships. For example, someone may be bearing the weight of loneliness along with an addiction and a mental health disorder, like depression or anxiety.
How to Get Sober and What to Expect
- Finding other people going through what I was experiencing was a relief and definitely helped me feel connected.
- The process of finding a therapist can be intimidating, but once you do, talking things through with an objective and unbiased party can take a real weight off of your shoulders.
- Reach out, connect, and take charge of your recovery, one day at a time.
- It can make you feel more energized and motivated, and can help keep negative thoughts at bay.
- Add a group element to it and you’re also boosting your social connections.
- Addiction and loneliness often go hand in hand because many people use alcohol or other substances to cope when they feel alone.
Detoxification does little to change long-term drug or alcohol abuse on its own. Patients should likely continue addiction treatment following loneliness in sobriety detox. Inpatient rehabs provide intensive, structured treatment programs. It addresses all areas of a person’s alcohol or drug addiction.
- You don’t have to go to a gym to stay fit—you can find many exercises online and do them from home.
- I am fortunate enough to work in the mental health field, which has allowed me to be surrounded by people who understand and can help me stay on track.
- Battling feelings of loneliness, developing a new life in sobriety, and learning how to love yourself are things that all take time.
- A person who is getting sober may be getting sober from one substance or all substances.
Understanding How Opioids Affect the Brain
If you’re newly sober or are thinking about quitting drinking, you might consider going the treatment center or recovery center route. The reason for this is that you will be surrounded with counselors and other people in recovery. You won’t be alone during the critical early days and weeks. I’m not saying treatment centers are a walk in the park, but they can help with loneliness while getting sober. Note, I did not go to a treatment center, but often wish I had. My problem, and this is one reason why I loved drinking, is I was impatient.
- This includes attending support group meetings, avoiding triggers, and following your aftercare plan.
- As a result, as the predominance of social media rises, our ability to connect and build healthy relationships actually decreases.
- Outpatient rehabs are another type of comprehensive addiction recovery treatment program.
- This was a reminder for me to stop and think before acting whenever these emotions threatened to overwhelm me.
Not a People Person?
Loneliness in Sobriety: A Trigger for Relapse
Identify Your Personal Triggers
