Any kind of addiction is hard to cope with, this is the only truth. Of course, different addictions come with a string of unique challenges since they do not come in the same shape and size.
At the same time, we must say that there is no cure for any addiction. There is no medicine you can consume to resolve this situation. Instead, resolving an issue of this sort is a combination of a variety of factors you need to work on.
Plus, you should not think only about potential therapies that can help you with this. Besides the therapy, it is important to change your mindset completely, which is probably the highest thing to do. If you need some professional help with going mentally through the struggles, be sure to pay a visit to littlecreekrecovery.org.
Today, we want to talk about how you can go mentally through hard moments while trying to achieve sobriety.
Mental Toughness
Being mentally tough is one of the prerogatives of going through hard times when you want to achieve sobriety. Having willpower is only the first step towards achieving this; even though many people often mix one term for another. Being mentally prepared is much more than that. The reason it differs is that it encompasses resilience and persistence despite all the challenges that might pop up.
Managing your thoughts during these moments is quite hard due to overwhelming emotions, sometimes faster than you can process them. Of course, this will hurt your behavior, which can cause social distance. You will certainly agree this is something that reflects exclusively negatively on a person. Keep in mind that these challenges are quite numerous in this case.
Another significant factor is being able to resist cravings that will appear. Maintaining motivation is borderline impossible in some cases. Therefore, you will need to do your best to be as resilient as possible. Physical detoxication goes hand in hand with emotional healing. Toughness is not inherent, it is quite the opposite. It can be developed over a certain period, but it requires a key component, discipline.
How to Develop It?
As we’ve already said, developing mental toughness is an essential element in maintaining sobriety. Of course, it starts with self-awareness. What we mean by that is that you should be aware of all the triggers that can lead you back to the problematic path.
When you identify these, it makes it easier for you to stay away from them. Once again, this is not an easy thing to do and it requires self-reflection, which is quite hard for many people.
After self-reflection, the next thing is to start developing coping strategies that will be essential on your road to recovery. One of the most effective ways you can do so is to find support systems. That is the reason why there are so many groups out there, like Alcoholics Anonymous, that provide much-needed support for people who are struggling with a wide array of issues associated with sobriety.
Professional help is there to help with tailoring the strategies that have the aim of managing anxiety, and stress, and preventing the individual from going through a rollercoaster of emotions, which is never a pleasant experience.
A good example of this is cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is one of the most effective ways to help individuals who have this problem. Still, you should be aware that there is no miracle in this regard; it requires hard work.
What are the Biggest Challenges?
Now, let us go through some of the biggest challenges that might be encountered while trying to achieve sobriety.
Social Challenges
Social pressures are quite numerous, and they tend to be quite hard. The reason is quite simple; addicts often have to limit their social circles to avoid getting tempted.
Individuals who are undergoing abstention from social activities in order to do that. Certain environments themselves are a trigger for consuming alcohol and other substances that might be in question, and avoiding them is a must.
Redefining habits to meet new conditions of life is not a walk in the park, and doing so often comes with countless obstacles that will test an individual’s willpower and discipline.
Also, distancing from familiar surroundings, sometimes friends and family can be a part of the new lifestyle. A good way to combat the urge and avoid triggers is to find new hobbies that do not include any elements from the previous lifestyle, even though this is not easy.
Physical Challenges
Physical withdrawal symptoms are quite intense, and to be honest, they are one of the key reasons why many give up. These challenges depend on the type of addiction.
However, we would like to say that the commonest ones are headaches, insomnia, nausea, and extreme mood swings. Each of them comes with a plethora of sub-effects, which can make the overall experience even more intense in the long run.
Emotional Challenges
When it comes to emotional challenges, the first stage is the hardest one. The reason is simple; a wide array of emotions is to be expected. At the same time, the feeling of guilt and shame will only add to the overall unpleasant situation. In many cases, these feelings can lead to anger and frustration. Abstinence leads to a lack of emotional relief, which causes them to pile up quickly.
Knowing how to get emotional relief without suffering too many consequences. Of course, developing coping mechanisms is the hardest part when it comes to emotional challenges. Controlling our emotions is sometimes impossible.
Therefore, an individual needs to find a way to resolve these issues as best as possible. Naturally, there are situations when this will simply not be possible. Preparing yourself for that is another important factor.
Summary
As you can see, going through abstinence is quite hard. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible to achieve. Here, you can find a couple of factors that can help you cope with this issues. We are certain you will find it useful.
