Divorce affects many families throughout the nation. It can be very life-altering, especially when you don’t see it coming. The process of divorce can come with many different emotions that may change from day to day. It can be very overwhelming and can take a toll on your mental health. Some people may feel the need to turn to substance use while coping with divorce.

The good news is that while divorce can be very painful, you can get through it and find joy and peace again. In addition, you can get through it while sober. The key is to give yourself grace, surround yourself with those who support you, and give yourself time to heal.

Staying Sober While Coping With Divorce

If you’re in recovery and coping with divorce, you may fear that you will turn back to substance misuse due to the complicated emotions you’re experiencing. Remind yourself that you are strong and can get through anything, including this. No matter how busy things get, make sure to continue to keep up with your continued care.

Don’t skip support group meetings or therapy sessions. You may even consider attending them more frequently as you work through your different emotions. Make sure that you’re surrounding yourself with people who support you and your recovery journey. If you feel like you’re tempted to relapse, call a sponsor, therapist, or trusted friend right away.

Working Through Your Emotions While Coping With Divorce

During this time, you might be feeling a lot of different emotions. These emotions can range from sadness to grief, anxiety, anger, and depression. You may find your emotions changing rapidly. One day you might feel as if you’re consumed by grief, and the next day you might feel totally different.

No matter what you’re feeling while coping with divorce, your emotions are valid and there is nothing wrong with you. Allow yourself to experience these emotions, and don’t try to push them aside. Taking the time to process these emotions is the first step toward healing.

Going to therapy is a great way to better understand your emotions and work through them. It can also help to journal or vent to a trusted friend or family member. If you know someone who has gone through a divorce before, it can help to hear about their experience. They can also help to remind you that you’re not going to always feel this way and you can get through it.

Remember that you are on your own timeline and nobody else’s. You can take as much time as you need to grieve the relationship and heal. Just because your ex-spouse seems to have moved on, doesn’t mean you need to be in the same place they are.

Explore New Joys and Passions

While you may only be seeing the negatives associated with your divorce, there may be positives to be discovered. You now have a fresh start and an opportunity to focus on yourself instead of worrying about marriage problems. Sometimes it is easy to lose yourself in a relationship. Now is your chance to find yourself again.

Consider what activities you once enjoyed that you haven’t participated in for a long time. Maybe they were things that your former spouse didn’t enjoy or that you simply didn’t have time for. Consider reintroducing them into your life once again. This can help you feel more like yourself.

You can consider also what hobbies or skills you always wanted to learn but never got around to. Maybe you wanted to learn to play an instrument or take up pottery. It’s never too late. You could take a class or teach yourself how to do these things.

If you already have a passion that you enjoy, consider doing it alongside other people. For example, you could take a yoga class, join a sports team, or become a part of a club. This can be a great way for you to connect with other like-minded people.

Make Sure to Take Care of Yourself While Coping With Divorce

Perhaps most importantly, make sure that you are taking care of yourself mentally and physically during this time. Make sure that you’re eating regularly, staying well hydrated, and getting plenty of sleep. Try to make time for some form of exercise every single day, even if it’s just 30 minutes or so. This can help to reduce stress and make you feel better.

Make sure that you’re also making time for self-care. This involves doing whatever you have to do to take care of your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Self-care for you may involve listening to calming music, cooking a meal for yourself, reading a book, or even taking a nap. This can help protect your mental health and even your sobriety during this time.

Divorce is hard; there is no sugarcoating it. But you can get through it, and you can get through it without turning to substance use. Be patient with yourself and embrace your different emotions as they come. Try to focus on the positives in your life instead of the negatives. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. At The Kimberly Center, we have helped many people take their lives back from addiction. We want to help you too. Gives us a call at (855) 452-3683 today, and a member of our team will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about our treatment options.