“Recovery is not a destination; it’s a journey.”
These words resonate deeply with anyone who’s taken the brave step toward overcoming addiction. Beginning this journey is not just commendable—it’s a testament to one’s strength and resilience. People in addiction recovery understand that they will never “arrive.” You will never wake up one day and say, “I beat addiction!” No, it doesn’t work like that. Instead, they will embrace each day for what it is: One day to stay sober.
This journey is lined with challenges that can test even the strongest. From managing cravings to building and rebuilding a social network, the obstacles can feel like they never end. However, understanding the challenges and how to challenge them back is key. With the right tools and support, you can overcome the common challenges you will likely face in addiction recovery.
1. Dealing with triggers
The challenge
Put simply, triggers are people, places, things, or emotions that can spark the urge to use substances. Triggers are as individual as you are. What is a trigger for someone else may not be a trigger for you. Likewise, your triggers won’t be everyone else’s triggers. These can be anything from passing a bar you used to frequent to feeling overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
Why it’s tough
Triggers are often deeply ingrained in our daily lives and routines. They can appear out of nowhere and catch you off guard, making you feel powerless and vulnerable.
How to navigate
To fight back against triggers, you first need to know and understand what your triggers are. Keeping a journal can help you pinpoint specific situations, emotions, or environments that make you want to drink or use.
Understand your triggers? That’s good. Now, it’s time to make a plan to deal with them. Your plan should be specific. It may involve avoiding certain places, calling friends or family, or having another activity ready when the urge arises.
Some other evidence-based methods that work to counteract triggers are mindfulness and meditation. These practices can help you stay grounded and reduce the power of triggers. Techniques like deep breathing and visualisation can be particularly helpful.
2. Coping with cravings
The challenge
Cravings are intense desires to use substances and come after the initial trigger. They can also come on suddenly and completely overtake your mind and body, making it hard to focus on anything else.
Why it’s tough
Cravings can be both physical and psychological, creating a powerful urge that’s difficult to resist, especially in the early stages of recovery. However, you can have long-term sobriety and still have cravings that come seemingly out of nowhere.
How to navigate
If a craving hits, try to delay acting on it. Tell yourself to wait for ten minutes. Usually, the intensity of the craving will diminish over time. Then, ask yourself if you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. (H.A.L.T. helps you remember these questions.) Taking care of some of these basic needs can help.
Distract yourself by doing an activity that takes your mind off the craving. This could be anything that works for you: going for a walk, calling someone, or working on a hobby, for example.
Remember that, ultimately, sobriety is a decision that you have made for yourself. Remind yourself why you chose to be sober and what you will lose by giving in to the craving. Play the tape through. OK, if I pick up a drink or drug today, then what will happen? Then what? Then what? Going through the likely consequences in detail helps.
3. Managing emotions
The challenge
Recovery naturally can unearth a lot of suppressed emotions that you are not used to and don’t know what to do with. Without substances to numb these feelings, you may feel yourself experiencing intense emotions like anger, sadness, or anxiety.
Why it’s tough
Emotions can feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable, leading to a sense of instability and vulnerability. It can be extremely difficult to understand these emotions and why you feel what you feel.
How to navigate
Working with a therapist can be invaluable in managing emotions. A therapist can provide a safe space for you to explore and process what you are feeling. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you identify and change negative thought patterns, while dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can teach you tools to help manage these emotions.
Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can give you immense comfort and understanding. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer a sense of community, helping you realise the valuable truth that you’re not alone in your struggles.
Prioritising self-care is also crucial when managing emotions. What your self-care looks like is up to you. Think of self-care as anything that makes you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Make sure to include the basics, though: regular exercise, healthy foods, enough sleep, and deep breathing exercises.
4. Building a new social network
The challenge
If you have found that your old social circles were centred around substance abuse and you know that you can no longer be a part of them, you’re not alone. Building a new, sober network is the challenge, and yes, it can feel daunting.
Why it’s tough
Building a new social network is tough because it means stepping out of your comfort zone and possibly facing loneliness or social anxiety. Additionally, you may miss your old friends even though you know deep down that they aren’t good for your recovery.
How to navigate
You will need to join new groups. Look for groups or clubs that align with your interests but don’t involve substance use. This could be recovery support groups, of course, but it can also be anything from a book club to a sports team.
Volunteering is another great way to meet new people while contributing to a cause you care about. When you are helping others, you feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Maybe there are people from your past who weren’t part of your substance-using days. If you haven’t been in touch with these people and want to reconnect, consider reaching out to them.
5. Finding a new purpose
The challenge
Substance use often fills a significant part of one’s life. In recovery, you may notice that you have extra time that you don’t know what to do with. There’s a need to fill that void with meaningful activities and goals.
Why it’s tough
Discovering what truly motivates and fulfills you can be a long and introspective process. You will need to get to know yourself, the true you. This involves peeling back the onion, layer by layer, so to speak.
How to navigate
Think of what you said when you were a child when asked the question, what do you want to be when you grow up? Think of the activities you enjoyed as a child and go from there. Deep down, you probably still have passion for those things.
Start by setting small, achievable goals. This could be anything from learning a new skill to pursuing further education. Take time to explore different interests you have. You will likely find joy in things you never considered before.
Seek professional guidance if needed. For example, career counselors or life coaches can help you identify your strengths and interests and guide you toward a potential purpose.
Helping others provides a profound sense of purpose. Whether through mentoring someone else in recovery or getting involved in community service, giving back can be incredibly rewarding.
Final thoughts
Addiction recovery can be a beautiful journey marked by challenges, triumphs, and true inner peace. Each obstacle you face and overcome makes you stronger, deepening your commitment to your sobriety and yourself.
Challenges are inevitable, but they don’t have to be setbacks if you are armed with the understanding and tools to combat them. Celebrate every small victory as these successes build the momentum you need to propel forward.
Centres for Health and Healing is here for you
At Centres for Health and Healing, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to giving you the tools, support, and community necessary to help you navigate the many challenges in addiction recovery. Whether it’s through therapy, support groups, or personalised treatment plans, we are here to stand by your side.
Remember, you are not alone. Helen Keller once said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” These words are truer than ever in addiction recovery.
Reach out to us today to see how we can help you turn challenges into growth and change.
