Some people struggle with addiction for years and experience multiple rounds of treatment before finally discovering a way to heal and move forward with their lives. Therefore, finding hope in that cycle can be challenging. Finding hope in recovery can be troubling overall, especially after years of fighting to stay sober. Thankfully, there are ways you can discover and keep hope throughout your recovery journey. This may include setting goals for yourself, finding hope in little victories, and seeking help from your support system.
The first step toward finding hope in addiction recovery is seeking treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling with active addiction, we highly encourage you to seek help today. The road to recovery can be long but is well worth it. Consider seeking treatment with West Coast Recovery Centers. Contact us to begin your journey at our San Diego facility today.
Why Finding Hope in Recovery Is Critical to Your Journey
Recovery is a lengthy process that requires a lot of work. This includes seeking treatment, attending therapy and support groups, and, in many instances, completing changing the trajectory of life.
Although some may not realize it hope is also critical to recovery. With hope comes the desire to recover and the motivation to stay sober. Hope also helps you when things go awry.
Relapse is a part of recovery experienced by many. Hope allows you to try again the next day without falling into a vicious cycle of shame or guilt. For many, hope is also a reminder of humanity.
Furthermore, hope allows us to explore various aspects of ourselves in recovery and maintain faith in the journey of continued sobriety. Unfortunately, losing hope in recovery is possible, especially for those who have been sober for years. So, how can you tell if you are losing hope in recovery?
Are You Losing Hope in Recovery?
The idea of losing hope is daunting, and recognizing the signs may be challenging. For instance, doubting your journey and questioning things is normal, but it can be misconstrued as a loss of hope. The signs of lost hope can be much more detrimental and may include the following:
- Lack of motivation to fulfill work tasks
- Social isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
- Not partaking in once enjoyable things
You might also find yourself neglecting your recovery routine, such as attending therapy and support groups or practicing self-care. This can be extremely dangerous, as not adhering to a recovery plan can significantly impact your mental health and increase your risk for relapse.
So, how does one prevent this from happening? Well, preventing a sense of hopelessness can be extremely tricky. So, instead, let us look at what one can do when they are losing hope in recovery.
What to Do When You Are Losing Hope in Recovery
Looking for a silver lining is often easier said than done. While regaining your hope in recovery is not an exact science, there are many steps you can take to get there. Knowing these methods can be critical to maintaining your recovery long-term.
#1. Talk to Your Support Network
The first thing to do when you are losing hope is to reach out to your support network. Chances are, these individuals have struggled with a similar thing. Peers can offer advice on your situation or at least offer support as you navigate this troubling time.
#2. Speak to Your Therapist
Along with talking to your support network, you should speak with your therapist. Many who lose hope struggle to stay in therapy, but discussing your feelings of hopelessness is critical to overcoming them. They may also offer new coping techniques that can help you avoid relapse.
#3. Prioritize Practicing Self-Care
Self-care is critical to the recovery journey. Prioritizing mental and physical well-being is necessary for those hoping to stay sober. Doing so, especially when you are in a state of desolation, can be challenging but is crucial to caring for your mental health.
#4. Make a List of Your Sobriety Accomplishments
Another thing to do when losing hope is to recount your accomplishments since achieving sobriety. This may include anything from finding a new job to making amends with loved ones. The goal is to remind yourself of the good that has come from your sobriety journey.
#5. Start Setting New Goals for Yourself
Along with recounting your sobriety accomplishments, setting new goals is also helpful. You can try new things that are conducive to your recovery. This may be taking on new hobbies, setting a new career goal, or finding small, day-to-day goals you can start achieving.
Rediscover Hope in Recovery With West Coast Recovery Centers Today
Additional things you can do when you are losing hope include:
- Practicing self-compassion
- Fostering a positive mindset
- Acknowledge problems you experience
- Recognizing potential triggers
- Celebrating every accomplishment you can
Reach out to West Coast Recovery if you or someone you love is searching for hope in recovery today.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to seeking treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) and maintaining long-term recovery. As a chronic condition, people are bound to experience many bumps in the road while trying to maintain a positive outlook, but staying hopeful is critical. Individuals in early and long-term recovery can struggle to maintain hope in recovery after years of active addiction. For that reason, people must know what to do when they feel themselves starting to lose hope. You can learn these methods to find hope, too. For treatment or to learn more about finding hope in recovery, call West Coast Recovery Centers at (760) 492-6509.