In our addiction, and even sometimes in recovery, we find ourselves isolating. Perhaps we feel more comfortable alone or disconnected from other people. In any case, isolation can be terribly damaging to our chances of recovery and survival.
Even if we are aware of the importance of a support system and community in recovery, it can be easy to fall into old habits of solitude. When we isolate, we are relying on our own thoughts and company to find peace and happiness.
Throughout addiction and entering recovery, we learn that our own minds are not sufficient enough to protect us from our disease and potential relapse. The concept and pillars of recovery revolve around our community to help carry us, and alone we will not succeed in this.
Our Disease Is Strong
One of the major concepts in recovery, in accepting that we are powerless against alcohol and other substances, is that our mind is actively working against us. This can sound extreme, but it is the truth.
Looking back on times we have attempted, or even swore, to quit our addiction, we cannot deny that when we were unable to follow through on our promise we don’t understand why. When presented with the opportunity to abstain from a drink or a drug, our mind can come up with any excuse to justify our addiction and ignore our desperation to stop.
We think that one more time isn’t that bad, we believe that we will be able to drink or use normally this time, maybe we are simply too afraid to stop. When we begin to recover, we work to absolve the obsession with drugs and alcohol, and to combat those thoughts.
We rely on others in our recovery or spiritual community to work with us and support us, and we truly are able to overcome those thoughts. Eventually, those thoughts become rarer and rarer. That doesn’t change the fact that our disease relies on those thoughts to take us back to our addiction.
By nature as addicts, our minds want us to relapse, to drink, or to use drugs. When we isolate, we are disconnected from the people who can help us fight that urge.
We lose our social, spiritual, and mental connections. The longer we spend alone, maybe slowly, maybe quickly, those thoughts will return and become increasingly hard to overcome. Isolation jeopardizes our sobriety, and our chances to recover.
Breaking the Cycle
Once we find comfort in isolation, it can be difficult to get out of that mindset. Just like anything else in our recovery and in life, it’s a practice. We need to reach out for help.
Although it may feel frightening, we do not want to lose the life that sobriety can give us. Left to our own devices, we will return to self-will and be unable to protect ourselves from a potential relapse.
Reach out to a friend, someone from a meeting, a sponsor, a loved one. Ask for their advice, and take it. It may be hard to reintegrate into the social aspect of life. Talk on the phone with someone who understands. Go to a meeting, and maybe join in a fellowship for as long as you feel comfortable.
Take the actions, even if they are small at first, to help yourself survive. Any amount of work you have put into your recovery is incredible, and you are worthy of your sobriety. Celebrate that, don’t keep it in your bedroom, or alone in your mind. Keep connected with others, it is essential to sobriety, as well as a healthy life. You can do this, one day at a time. You are never alone.
At The Guest House Ocala we understand how addiction can make you feel alone. Our program and our understanding staff are here to help you to combat those feelings and connect with others. You deserve support and connection, and recovery is possible! Call 855-979-8446 today for more information.