Many of you may not know this but loneliness can get in the way of sobriety. This is alarming as this can be a real hindrance to an individual’s journey to sobriety. Because of this, we thought it would be useful to have a brief discussion on this subject. If this is something that you want to learn more about, read on as we discuss how loneliness can hamper your journey to sobriety.
Understanding the Difference Between Loneliness and Being Alone
It’s important to understand that there is a difference between loneliness and being alone. In sobriety, alone time is often needed as a restorative period that makes socializing more enjoyable in the long run. However, being alone does not always mean feeling lonely. In fact, you can be lonely even if you are with other people.
Instead of looking at loneliness as an emotion caused by being alone, it’s better to view it as a state of mind. Loneliness is the perception of being disconnected from everyone else whether or not you are in close proximity with other people.
People who feel lonely often have low self-esteem. Factors such as feeling worthless, feeling guilty, being mentally distressed, and having poor coping skills can cause someone to feel lonely.
Loneliness and Sobriety
It may not seem like loneliness is a potential trigger for relapse, but isolation can be extremely impactful. Loneliness has long been tied to high-risk behavior like substance abuse. As a result, people in recovery may succumb to the temptation of old behaviors in these moments of weakness.
For example, you could be separated from family members while you are going through treatment, or you could be living on your own after rehabilitation, and you don’t have a community of friends or supportive individuals to help you through the tough times. You might feel like you’re facing life’s challenges alone, but this isn’t the case.
The earliest steps of recovery from addiction can be especially painful, as you begin to face up to the way you have hurt those close to you by your addiction and the damage to your relationships. It is easy, in the midst of these emotions, to feel lonely and try to soothe the pain with something false, such as alcohol or drugs. This is why loneliness plays a big role when it comes to people living in sobriety to relapse.
Best Ways to Deal With Loneliness In Sobriety
Although loneliness can be difficult in sobriety, it can be combated in many positive ways. To help make things easier for you, here are a couple of ways to deal with loneliness in sobriety.
If you’re still struggling with loneliness and need support, consider talking to a therapist. A licensed therapist can help you talk through your feelings of loneliness, as well as uncover any issues that may be contributing to this distressing emotion. Therapy can help you process these emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
Attending AA meetings is a great way to make new friends and meet people who are dedicated to their sobriety. The AA community encourages individuals to care deeply for their physical and emotional well-being, knowing that loneliness can be one of the primary causes of relapse.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you understand the effect that loneliness can have on sobriety. As you can see, loneliness can really get in the way of sobriety. Be sure to take everything you learned here and apply it to your life so you can best navigate sobriety.
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