FRUSTRATION AND RECOVERY
A feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting in unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.
Addiction can be frustrating for all involved. When the addiction finally gives way to sobriety and recovery, we sometimes think all will be rainbows and unicorns. We know how hard it is to quit drinking and drugging, but in many regards, it is every bit as difficult, if not more so, to stay quit. That’s where the frustration comes in and sometimes it beats us down, leading possibly to relapse or worse. Here’s how to say no to frustration.
Have a Plan
Making a plan of what we are going to do and when and how we are going to do it each day, is a valuable tool. Without structure, we can slip into boredom, old habits and inactivity, all of which can lead to frustration and relapse.
Remain Flexible
We should never cast in stone our plans, however. If you feel like you have to rigidly adhere to the plan you’ve created, and life interferes, frustration may arrive.
Set Reasonable Expectations
What most newcomers to recovery find is that it takes a period of time for this to happen and that time is different for everybody.
Try Not to Take Things So Seriously
Bad things happened. Maybe some very bad things happened. Amends are needed, apologies necessary. But while we do need to remember that rock bottom that got us here so we don’t return, there is no need to dwell. We are sober. That is a blessing and worth smiling about.
Learn From Your Mistakes
While it can be temporarily upsetting – indeed, frustrating – to make mistakes, if you can glean something positive from the experience, you are adding to your recovery toolkit..
Keep a Positive Attitude
In many respects, attitude is everything. When it comes to how we live our lives in recovery, attitude can literally make the difference between making significant progress toward goals and giving up on them
Be With Others
When you are in recovery, it is helpful to be in the company of others who know what kinds of frustrations you are experiencing and, even more important, how they were able to overcome such frustration and get back to working on their goals?
Remember the Good You Have Accomplished
From time to time, looking over what you have accomplished thus far can be a real eye-opener. Everyone needs something concrete to point to in the way of successes, if nothing else, to give them motivation and inspiration to continue.
Try Again
In the end, how you manage your frustration that tends to get in the way of your recovery goals will be a personal and unique approach. The only way to be successful in achieving what you desire is to continue to work at it – even if this means trying again and again.
From your friends at www.commonbondrehabcenter.com and www.just4usgirls.net Santa Clarita, CA