How to Cope with Emotional Pain and Stay Sober

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Recovery from addiction is a huge accomplishment. Recovery is not for the faint, but the strong. Giving up a source of comfort and learning newer, healthier ways to cope with life is a really big deal. However, there will be times when recovery seems impossible, especially when you are facing emotional pain.

A life in recovery does not guarantee that you will never experience disappointment and pain. Quite the opposite is true, because recovery doesn’t make you exempt from life. A few of life’s most challenging moments, even for those not in recovery are:

  • Financial concerns
  • Loss of a job
  • Death of a family member or loved one
  • Infertility
  • Relationship complications
  • Divorce or separation

Learning to live life on life’s terms takes time and practice, but you can overcome emotional pain without taking a drink or a drug. You can learn to implement new ways to deal with stress and pain. Remember, drinking alcohol or using drugs is not an effective way to cope. Instead, substance use is a way to temporarily mask pain. The problem is always there in the morning.

Do not isolate of stop going to meetings. No matter what you do or how you feel, stay connected with your recovery support system. Going to meetings is a great way to vent your feelings and talk about distressing thoughts. You will be able to benefit from positive support and feedback from peers at the meetings. Staying connected with your sponsor, mentor, and sober friends is important for your recovery and emotional health.

Be honest to yourself and others about your feelings. Addiction was a way to numb and escape feelings and problems. Recovery is not just about abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Recovery is about inner healing and confronting your past traumas. When you start to remember or feel the effects of emotional pain, don’t run away from it. Consider journaling, calling your sponsor, going to a meeting, getting involved in support groups or massage therapy.

Consider seeing a therapist to process times of grief or deep emotional pain. Therapy is a recommended intervention for processing past traumas and deep, emotional wounds. Therapy is an intimate, individual relationship between you and a professionally trained therapist. Therapy is a judgement free, safe space to talk about difficult moments in your life. The goal of therapy is to initiate emotional healing so that you can be free from the past.

At The Kimberly Center, we understand the emotional wounds that can surface during the recovery process.  Contact us now at 855-4-KCENTER. We are committed to helping you stop the cycle of addiction with education and treatment. At the Kimberly Center, you can trust our expertise to help you along your recovery journey.

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