"Recovery is about more than just not using drugs or alcohol. It's also about finding joy and meaning in life"
I also specialize in working with people in recovery to help prevent relapse. Getting sober doesn't need to be everyone's goal, but you made the decision that it was the right thing for you. If you have a history of substance abuse and have gotten sober, CONGRATULATIONS!! Maybe you worry about relapsing and you would like some support staying sober. Living without self medicating can be scary. Addiction counseling and if needed, trauma therapy can help.
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People often have feelings of guilt and shame for having a problem with drugs or alcohol. Yet, so often we forget that life is really hard and for many people , self-medicating, using drugs or alcohol, got them through a challenging time in their life. UNFORTUNATELY, it also became a problem and if you are reading this, perhaps you are learning to live with your really hard day to day problems without self medicating. And maybe also some self compassion.
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Without self-medicating. And being mindful of binge shopping, online gambling, video games, endless scrolling. All the things that are so accessible.
If you've gotten used to numbing your feelings, having them show up can be very uncomfortable. Maybe even scary. Especially if you grew up in a home in which feelings were not expressed in healthy ways. Let's learn how to recognize the feelings and ride the waves in a healthy way.
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Chances are if you are newly sober, your close friends and family are watching you closely and very anxious that you might relapse. And possibly still angry. You want to show that you are doing the right thing. But also, you aren't doing it for them. Rebuilding these relationships is a big priority.
Making connections with other sober people can make a significant difference. If you have been in rehab, chances are you have had the experience of being around others wanting a sober life. Having this additional layer of mutually beneficial support is like no other. I highly recommend community support programs like AA and Smart Recovery.