What does emotional sobriety entail? Many people would assume that “happiness, joy, and freedom” relates to the idiom from the culture of Alcoholics Anonymous that is utilized in 12 step meetings.
By diligently pursuing their plan, they will achieve physical sobriety (abstinence) and happiness.
Sadly, this term places a lot of folks who are in recovery in a difficult situation. How does a person’s mental sobriety, for instance, change if they have depression?
Continue reading to find out more about how to attain and maintain emotional sobriety.
More Detail on Emotional Sobriety
An important, but sometimes disregarded, aspect of the healing process is emotional sobriety.
Generally speaking, emotional sobriety entails
- preserving mental and emotional well-being
- living in the moment and being present
- acknowledging that pain and loss are inevitable aspects of life that help us develop as people
- Don’t linger on the past Be aware of other people’s expectations and views, and don’t allow them affect your conduct or negatively affect how you feel about yourself.
- letting go of emotional reliance, particularly on narcotics
- Since individuals with substance use disorders frequently use drugs and alcohol to alleviate their emotional discomfort, it is essential to learn how to regulate emotions in a healthy way in order to avoid relapse.
Emotional sobriety can occasionally be as simple as learning to manage your feelings. No matter how you feel, maintaining sober involves resisting the urge to consume alcohol or use drugs.
You don’t have to blame yourself or your program for it since life may be difficult. This indicates that you don’t need to do anything to get rid of the feeling.
Many people will use any method to try to divert themselves from their bad emotions. However, this coping mechanism only promotes short-term, surface-level healing; it does not address underlying problems.
Addiction and Emotion
Addicts to alcohol and drugs frequently struggle to control their emotions.
The following traits might be present in them:
- difficulty in controlling unpleasant emotions like rage or impatience
- a propensity to behave rashly or dangerously when confronted with difficult emotions
- having trouble keeping close friendships
- Unable to adjust to challenging situations or issues at work or school Tendency to perceive things negatively
- Traumatic childhood experiences are one aspect that affects mood and addiction.
Researchers from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) looked at how various types of childhood trauma impact an individual’s behavior as an adult in a study.
It has been discovered that adult depression, anxiety, addiction, and interpersonal issues are all closely related to childhood trauma.
Different people take various routes to emotional sobriety. Some people can control emotions successfully more quickly than others, and some people respond better to particular tactics than others.
Good addiction treatment facilities and programs offer a variety of tactics and techniques to aid in the development of emotional sobriety in their patients.
Additionally, there are some fundamental methods and procedures that may be used in therapy by anybody.
Behavior Modification
Such therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), urge patients to modify or adapt to their unfavorable traits by making them more conscious of their emotions, thoughts, and actions in the present.
Tools are given to assist people deal with their negative emotions in a healthy way outside of treatment.
Embracing Feelings
Addicts frequently experience feelings of guilt and humiliation as a result. During their rehabilitation, the person may continue to feel these feelings in addition to others like worry and future anxieties.
The ability to manage these many emotions is crucial for preventing relapse. The first step to coping with emotions is accepting them, both positive and negative.
Holistic Healing
Holistic treatment is a fantastic substitute for conventional psychotherapy and medicines.
When it comes to encouraging emotional sobriety, holistic treatments might be helpful in addition to behavioral therapy. The goal of holistic treatments is to assist patients in developing mindfulness, or the capacity to be present, in their lives.
People in recovery struggle to deal with the present because of their prior traumas. But doing so could trigger relapse and undermine your attempts at recovery.
Several holistic treatments, including:
- Soundbath Acupuncture
- Mindfulness
- Breathwork Meditation
Get Assistance with Any Recovery
Everybody’s path to emotional sobriety is unique. At No Matter What Recovery, we provide our patients the resources they need to create their own emotional sobriety.
It’s a good idea for someone with an addiction to be aware of both the advantages and risks of stopping drinking.
Numerous issues can arise from excessive alcohol usage, which has become an alcohol use disorder. Numerous risk factors are frequently linked to alcohol misuse and alcoholism. People who have gone through some of the effects of alcohol consumption disorder may think about giving it up.
This article explains the advantages of giving up alcohol to those who are fighting an alcohol addiction or their loved ones.
It’s a good idea for someone with an addiction to be aware of both the advantages and risks of stopping drinking.
Numerous issues can arise from excessive alcohol usage, which has become an alcohol use disorder. Numerous risk factors are frequently linked to alcohol misuse and alcoholism. People who have gone through some of the effects of alcohol consumption disorder may think about giving it up.
This article explains the advantages of giving up alcohol to those who are fighting an alcohol addiction or their loved ones.
