Sometimes when we are in the midst of the cycles of our addictions, we are afraid of recovery because we think we can’t live without our addictive substances and behaviors. We associate recovery with painful withdrawal and abstinence. We dread recovery. We can choose instead to focus our energy on all the wonderful parts of recovery that we have to look forward to.
It is liberating, empowering and joyful to no longer be dependent on anything outside of ourselves. We no longer think we need to rely anything or anyone to make us feel better about ourselves. We no longer think we need unhealthy coping mechanisms to survive. We no longer think we need to escape our pain. We develop a healthy sense of self-worth, and we find the resilience and coping skills we need within ourselves.
All the time, attention, space and energy we gave to our addictions is now freed up to focus on healthier, happier things. We can make time for all the interests, passions, hobbies and pursuits that we abandoned and neglected. Instead of choosing the things that brought us down and stripped us of our happiness, we can prioritize the beautiful things in life that bring us joy and gratitude.
The clarity that comes with recovery is something that has evaded many of us for much of our lives. We spent years feeling confused, lost, without hope or direction. As we recover, we start to get clear on who we are, what our needs are, what we want out of life and how we can achieve it. We get clear on what is good for us and what isn’t. We start to make better choices for ourselves. We start to reclaim our hope and sense of direction. We start to see more options for ourselves in life. We see life as full of possibility.
With recovery, we start to take better care of ourselves all around. We prioritize self-care. We get stronger physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We realize we were neglecting ourselves, and in recovery we realize the importance of taking good care of ourselves. We start to learn more about good health, and the more we make healthier choices for ourselves, the better we feel.
In recovery, we enjoy healthier, happier relationships. We resolve the conflicts in our old relationships and make amends. We reunite with lost loved ones. We also form new relationships that are fulfilling and satisfying, often with other people in recovery.
There is a lot to look forward to in recovery. Let us help. Call (800) 871-5440.