March 28, 2023 smithmkts

Combatting Loneliness During Recovery

It’s also important to remember that recovery takes time, so don’t be discouraged if you initially feel lost. Staying at home and keeping your distance from others is critical for your physical health during the coronavirus outbreak. It is equally important, though, that you continue to care for your mental and emotional health as well. Taking steps to understand how to avoid loneliness in self-quarantine can help you as you do your part to keep everyone safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Biroc explains that being alone is not the same as being lonely.

It will give you a regular time to interact with others and you will likely make friends there. Cognitive therapy is one of the main tools for changing people’s negative thinking and developing healthy coping skills [9,10]. The effectiveness of cognitive therapy in relapse prevention has been confirmed in numerous studies [11]. Research shows that group activities can help people recovering from addiction stay sober. One recent study found that people who participated in 12-step programs and regularly engaged in social activities were more likely to remain sober than those who didn’t. Group activities can provide a sense of community, which is especially important for people in early recovery who may feel isolated and alone.

Abstinence Stage

Loneliness and isolation can significantly increase your chances of relapse, so learning how to deal with feelings of loneliness is essential to maintaining your sobriety. This blog will outline how loneliness and addiction are related and suggest some possible ways to relieve loneliness in sobriety. And for millions, they’ve been the first line of defense against loneliness. While avoiding social media altogether may be incredibly difficult, it’s important to limit the amount of time you spend on social media. Because social media and parasocial relationships keep you from building real relationships, it can also help to drive feelings of isolation and loneliness.

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There is a big difference between feeling lonely and being alone.
If you’re struggling to find the motivation to reach out to your loved ones, it might be helpful to start slowly.
Because loneliness is a somewhat widespread issue, there are many people online who are looking for people to connect with.
Clinical experience has shown that common causes of relapse in this stage are poor self-care and not going to self-help groups.

And we learn to keep ourselves occupied – solo – for hours on end, without the need for connection and reassurance from parents or caregivers. Experienced Chief Executive Addiction Recovery and Mental Health Professional Business professional in the Addiction Recovery and Mental Health industry for the past 26 years. Caring, compassionate and strongly motivated to make a difference in the organizations I am affiliated with and welfare of the population we serve. Currently focused on advocating, educating and developing projects leveraging evidence based, real time technology to support individuals in recovery. Business professional in the Addiction Recovery and Mental Health industry for the past 26 years.

Bringing Real Change

Attending regular meetings gives you a place to be social, allows you to connect with others, and helps you build new relationships with people who share the same goals as you. This is crucial, as these people know what you’re going through because they’re going through it, too. You can relate to each other’s stories, and you can work through the toughest parts together. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to reach out to your loved ones, it might be helpful to start slowly. Come up with just one supportive friend or family member who you could imagine reaching out to.

Despite its status as an emotion rather than an illness, loneliness can have similar impacts on your health as smoking and obesity.
By learning to combat loneliness, you can empower your recovery journey.
Available platforms include Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, and other virtual options.

It’s also reassuring to know that strong social support is beneficial for your mental health. Practice means taking action every day to move closer to your goals. This includes attending support group meetings, avoiding triggers, and following your aftercare plan. By practicing what you learn in your recovery program, you can ensure it becomes part of your lifestyle. Yes, it’s normal to feel lost in early sobriety, especially when dealing with mental illness alongside addiction.

Rule 1: Change Your Life

Having resilience allows an individual battling a drug or alcohol addiction, trauma, stress or another adverse event to bounce back. Part of the recovery process is finding new activities that don’t involve substance use. Think loneliness in sobriety about activities you like to do and find groups supporting them. This will not only help you keep busy but will also help you avoid feeling alone. Many people feel lonely simply because they never try to make friends.

Steps to Avoid Loneliness During Recovery

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