When we get sober, our lives tend to improve significantly. I can’t think of any aspect of my life that hasn’t changed for the better since I entered recovery over seven years ago. Still, life is life; there will be hard times.
Active Addiction Makes Life Harder
Whatever you’re going through—whether it’s grief, stress, job loss, a breakup—it will be much more manageable sober. That can be hard to fully accept, because drinking or using drugs often feel like the quickest ways to protect yourself from pain. They might temporarily distance you from your feelings, but they’ll ultimately make those feelings stronger.
Life gets much harder when you are in active addiction and the negative impacts of your drinking or drug use pile on. I’ve been through a lot of difficult things the last few years, but I still don’t miss my active addiction days. I didn’t have any tools to cope with even small stresses. Life felt constantly challenging.
Tips for Getting Through Challenges Sober
Support systems are an important part of recovery. When you’re going through a hard time, it’s extra important to lean on the supportive people in your life. Some people find it difficult to ask for help, and that’s understandable. But support systems are all about healing through mutual support. The people you’ve been there for most likely want to be there for you as well. When you’re experiencing a challenge in life, doing so alone can add a lot of weight.
You may be aware of your triggers, or you might still be learning them. Either way, during hard times, it’s particularly important to pay attention to how things affect you. If spending time with a certain person makes you think of alcohol or drugs, it might be important to set boundaries while you ride out the difficult time. If nature helps you feel capable of meeting the challenge, get outside as much as your schedule allows.
Whenever anyone is going through a hard time in life, it’s important to take extra care. For a person in recovery who is worried about going back to substances, this is extra crucial. Just like if you were sick with the flu or a cold, you don’t have to expect the same things of yourself day-to-day as you would normally. It’s okay to get more rest, or spend time you might normally spend cleaning on the phone with someone in your life.
The hardest parts of what you’re going through will pass, and until they do, you can really prioritize your recovery. Remember that making it through this challenge sober will give you tools to stay sober through the next one.
If you are struggling with addiction or a mental health disorder, there is hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for substance use and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will help you build the tools to thrive in recovery, no matter what life brings. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.