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How Do You Overcome Loneliness in Recovery?
Apr 4, 2021
Addiction is a socially isolating disease; therefore, social support for recovery is an essential element for lasting recovery. However, addiction can be debilitating and create obstacles and a lack of motivation to reach out to others for comfort. Not connecting with loved and trusted ones only creates more physical and emotional distance. Understand that loneliness can become a common experience in both addiction and recovery.
Becoming a Better Friend by Building Social Bonds
Mar 3, 2021
Healthy relationships are essential in life, especially in recovery. The bonds you share with friends, family, and peers from support groups impact your mental and physical wellbeing. You should never underestimate the power of a strong bond, nor should you ever subscribe to the “go-it-alone” ideology. Studies even show that having a variety of relationships helps to reduce stress and heart-related risks. Strong social ties lead to a longer life. Alternatively, loneliness and isolation lead to poorer health, depression, and shortened life. Although you learn social skills early on in life, you are never too old to improve relationships.
Finding the Right Accountability Partner
Mar 3, 2021
Recovery is a challenging road to walk. You may have already seen the powerful impact that other people can have on your sobriety by providing support, guidance, and professional help. One of the most important roles in your recovery will be your accountability partner: someone who specifically works to hold you to your goals and ensure that you’re keeping on track. As such, it’s a position of great responsibility. Here’s how to choose an accountability partner who’ll help you focus on achieving success in sobriety.
How to Show Gratitude
Mar 3, 2021
Expressing gratitude to those that support you can be one of the most rewarding efforts you will ever make in recovery. Gratitude is also one of the foundational virtues in the creation of happiness. When you can exercise gratitude on your road to recovery, you are less likely to relapse because you are more self-confident and empowered to move forward. A grateful attitude also helps you when challenges arise that threaten and trigger your most negative impulses. Suppose you have not been practicing gratitude and are struggling to move forward with the transition to becoming the fully-realized self that you envision. In that case, it might be time to shift your perspective and outlook and begin expressing gratitude to yourself and those that support you.
Signs Your Relationship is Toxic
Mar 3, 2021
When most think of a toxic relationship, they often tend to think and evaluate romantic relationships, but any relationship can be toxic. It can be challenging in early recovery to identify who is sincere in putting your recovery first and who might be manipulating you. A toxic relationship can give you a negative perspective on your recovery and deter you from pursuing the life you deserve. To understand if you are in a toxic relationship, first know that you are no longer the person you were when using. You decided to get help and get better, and now it's time to surround yourself with positive people who are supportive and willing to help.
Why It's Important to Maintain Relationships
Mar 3, 2021
Recovery can be an experience that helps you overcome your addiction and offer inner growth and peace. However, it can also come with many new pressures and cause isolation. Among some of the most formidable challenges faced in recovery is re-building your past and new relationships; however, you might avoid getting attached for fear of hurting yourself and other people.
The Best Tips for Practicing Assertive Communication
Mar 3, 2021
Assertiveness is a core communication skill that helps you express yourself effectively and even stand up for yourself. Being assertive can also help boost self-esteem, reduce stress, and earn respect from others. However, sometimes it can be intimidating to practice being assertive for fear of coming off angry or aggressive.
How Do You Seek Help For a Loved One?
Mar 3, 2021
Helping a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder can be both a challenging and heartbreaking journey. It can also be a fulfilling journey filled with purpose and meaning that all parties can gain. Though seeking help for your loved one can be intimidating, you should remember avoiding the issue as if nothing is wrong is far worse than attempting to get them help.
The “Dos” and “Don’ts” of Dating in Recovery
Mar 3, 2021
Living a life of sobriety and recovery changes your perspective on yourself and the world around you. Social interactions are no different. In recovery, you have learned how important it is to continue to strengthen your support system. However, while making new relationships is essential, it is vital to approach all of the opportunities found in recovery with the right mindset, including precautions to ensure you're entering every new relationship in a way that will better serve your life and recovery.
How Do I Support a Loved One in Their Recovery?
Mar 3, 2021
Achieving lifelong recovery relies on many different factors to ensure that the individual going through the process maintains motivation to keep moving forward. A big proponent of the process is creating a healthy support network. You might not realize how important your support can be for a friend from an outside perspective. What you say, what you do, how you act toward this person can influence how they approach their recovery.