Gratitude is one of the pillars of a positive mindset. Feeling grateful takes your attention off all the things you don’t have and puts it on the good things you do have. As a result, you feel safer, happier, and more optimistic. That kind of attitude is contagious and it helps to strengthen relationships, which is good for recovery. Focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t is also an excellent antidote for resentment. You can hardly resent the good things you do have. And most of us have known someone who has an enviable life but is still miserable because he only thinks about what he lacks. Like most things in recovery, though, gratitude is simple but not easy. When things don’t seem to be going your way, it may be hard to think of things to be grateful for, especially if you are experiencing the anxiety and depression that are common early in recovery. If you’re feeling at a loss for things to be grateful for, here are some suggestions.
You’re currently sober.
Don’t underestimate this as an achievement or as an asset. Getting sober takes awareness, honesty, courage, and perseverance. If you managed to get sober for any length of time, you had to go through withdrawal and many other challenges. That proves you have some mental and emotional resources to draw from. Also, when you’re sober, you can make choices, even if it sometimes feels really hard to make the right choice.
You have people who support you.
It’s rare that people can alienate absolutely everyone. Even if you managed to do it, you are not completely alone. You can rely on your counselor, therapist, doctor, or sponsor. Anyone you met in the rooms or in treatment knows what you’re going through. If you have a 12-step group you like, don’t underestimate the value of having people who will listen and support you.
The hardest part is behind you.
There are always ups and downs in recovery, but in aggregate, recovery gets easier as you go. Improvement is slow at first, but it tends to get easier after a year, then by the time you get to five years, your life is better in many ways and your risk of relapse is very low.
You get an opportunity most people don’t.
Addiction can screw up your life in many ways. Undoubtedly, you would have preferred not to have become addicted, but since you did, you can use it as an opportunity for growth. Many people go through life feeling miserable but not sure why. They don’t have a crisis that makes them really examine what goes on in their heads, and they never learn strategies for managing their thoughts and behavior.
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, we can help. Recovery Ways is a leading addiction treatment provider with an excellent recovery rate. Our expert staff includes masters and PhD level therapists and board certified addiction psychiatrists. Our comfortable facilities will help to make your treatment as enjoyable as possible and our therapists use proven techniques like sensory integration and recreation therapy to help to engage the world without the assistance of drugs or alcohol. Call us today at 1-888-986-7848 or email us through our contact page to learn more.
