Why Going Through the Process is an Emotional Necessity
The death of a loved one, the ending of a relationship, the loss of a job—all significant life changes can bring grief. And when you’re in recovery from a substance use disorder, it’s important to be prepared to deal with this emotion healthily. Here are eight excellent strategies for coping with grief in recovery.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
The first step to dealing with any emotion is acknowledging that you’re feeling it. Being sad, angry, scared, or any other emotion is okay after a loss. If you try to bottle up your feelings, they will only come out later in an unhealthy way.
Instead, try to name the emotions you’re feeling. This will help you to understand and process them better. Once you know what you’re feeling, you can start to deal with it constructively.
Talk to Someone Who Will Listen
Find a friend, therapist, sponsor, or any other supportive person who will just listen to you without judgment. It can be helpful to talk through your feelings and process what has happened.
This person doesn’t necessarily need to give you advice, but it can be helpful if they have gone through a similar experience. Just knowing that someone else understands can be very comforting.
Write About Your Feelings
Writing can be therapeutic. You can use a journal to write about your thoughts and feelings surrounding the loss. This can help you to organize your thoughts and work through your emotions.
You can also write letters to the person you used to be or lost. This can be a way to say everything you wish you could tell them or your former self. It can also help you to work through your feelings of anger and resentment.
Get Involved in Activities That Help
Many activities can help you cope with grief, such as:
- Attending a support group
- Writing poetry
- Music
- Painting,
- Spending time outdoors
Find what works for you and make it a regular part of your routine.
The good news is that the only requirement is to find something you genuinely enjoy. As long as an activity helps you feel better, it serves its purpose.
Don’t Make Any Major Life Changes
After a significant change, it’s common to feel like you need to make major changes in your life. However, it’s essential to resist this urge and take things one day at a time. Making significant changes can be overwhelming and may not be the best thing for you in your current state.
Instead, focus on taking small steps to improve your life. This could involve making healthy changes to your diet, exercising more, or spending more time with positive people.
Be Patient with Yourself
The grieving process can take a long time, and it’s important to be patient with yourself. It’s okay if you have good days and bad days. Just keep moving forward and know that things will eventually get better.
Take Care of Yourself
It’s essential to take care of yourself physically and emotionally when grieving. Make sure to eat healthy foods, exercise, get enough sleep, and do things that make you happy. This will help you to feel your best and be better equipped to deal with your grief.
Make Your Sobriety a Focus
Finally, remember that your sobriety should be your primary focus during this time. Don’t let your grief lead you to relapse. Lean on your support system and stay strong in your recovery.
Ohio Addiction Recovery Center
If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, please reach out for help. At Cedar Oaks Wellness Center, we offer a variety of evidence-based treatment programs that can help you get on the path to recovery. Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you heal.
