Staying positive can be hard for anybody, but it can be especially hard for people in early recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. In early recovery, our brains try to produce their own serotonin again after relying on drugs doing it for so long. This time is often full of negative emotions. I was sad a lot during my first year of sobriety. Learning that being in and working on recovery can be exhausting is just part of the process. Dealing with negative emotions is hard, so we learn ways to cope and get through it.
During tough times, stop for a minute to reflect on how much better life is in recovery, and how grateful we are for that. Some recent studies showed gratitude led to higher levels of perceived social support, and lower levels of stress and depression (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656607001286). Gratitude can also help us recognize that old ways of using drinking/doing drugs were not as effective as we thought. Redefine what strength is and try resisting things that aren’t nourishing your soul.
Find sober activities and hobbies to fill up time so you can ward off negative thoughts. Learn to enjoy all the wonderful things in life you may have missed while using. Join a softball team or use a coloring book. Go for a walk on a sunny afternoon, or get your nails done with a friend. You may not feel like doing anything in early recovery, that nothing appeals to you.
Some keys to a successful recovered life are to surround yourself with people who are also in recovery and aiming for the same way of life you are; create new meaningful, honest relationships with supportive people; and always helping out when someone needs it. Also plan pleasant activities that you enjoy during the same time you used to have a drink or use drugs. Reach out to other people in recovery, they know been exactly where you are. Having a little guidance and support from someone who has been there before can make a huge difference in recovery. Speak with a sponsor, get to a meeting, or get a recovery coach!.
One of the most important life truths I have learned in my time of recovery is that not every single bad feeling requires me to do some comforting anecdote to survive. I’ve learned that sometimes I have to be okay with feeling like crap and letting those feelings pass. There are times bad things happen and during those times I am supposed to be sad. I’ve learned to sit with it and let it pass.
Thinking about 3 things that you are grateful for can make you feel better – try it!
-Jenna Narkum