How To Stay Sober After Losing A Loved One
Experiencing grief during addiction recovery is one of the most formidable challenges one can face in their life. The death of a pet, a loved one, or a friend contributes to never-ending pain and distress. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you might be tempted to find sweet relief in addictive substances to numb the agony. But relapsing will make all of your efforts in recovery go to waste. Starting over with recovery means going through agonizing withdrawal symptoms again, which is the last thing one wants.
Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. The journey of sobriety is long and hard, but processing grief is a vital part of learning to stay sober. Read this guide to learn how you can cope with grief during your addiction treatment.
How Grief Affects Recovery
One of the consequences of losing a loved one during recovery is facing powerful addiction triggers. Emotional distress and the feeling of loss can stir up old memories that can intensify the impulse to numb yourself from the pain. 7% of people suffering from grief are more likely to relapse than take the necessary steps to cope.
How To Cope With Grief During Recovery
Woman sitting on the floor covering her face
Take Your Time
Rushing yourself to get over loss will not help you heal any faster. Allow yourself to take time and accept the emotions that come with grief. Lean on to friends and family for support and be patient with yourself.
Getting Creative
Finding an outlet to let out your emotions is one of the best ways to distract yourself away from substances. Many people find comfort in music, picking up a paintbrush and making strokes on a canvas, or simply journaling. Being creative is a great way to heal and find comfort in art.
Visit Your Therapist
Whether you have a sponsor or a therapist, make sure you talk to them regularly. Stay committed to your treatment program and regularly attend meetings. Openly discuss with your therapist about anything that is bothering you, cry out, and vent about what you’re feeling. Grief should never be dealt with in isolation. Instead, talk to people who are always there to console.
Invest Your Time in Healthy Activities
Grief can make you depressed, lose your appetite, and diminish your energy. Building a healthy routine can help. Forcing yourself to get out of bed is the first step. Eat a healthy breakfast, go for a jog, and do everything you love to do. This will keep you away from relapsing and falling into the dark chasm of addiction.
Get Help From The Best Addiction Doctors in Baltimore.
There is no shame in getting help during recovery. Dealing with grief is hard, but you will slowly find your motivation to be healthy again with our medical assistance.
At MD MATT, we offer the most affordable and professional addiction treatments for alcohol and heroin addiction in Baltimore. Visit our website to learn more about our programs. Book an appointment today.
