Being patient and optimistic during this transitional phase is key to minimizing feelings of loneliness. Another reason you may be feeling lonely is that you may have alienated some of your friends and family when you were actively addicted. If you’re feeling lonely, that may be an indication that it’s time to start mending those relationships. Reach out to the people you’ve wronged and who you want back in your life.
- BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.
- Many people are seemingly alone, but do not feel lonely — just as many others will endure intense loneliness in a room full of people they know.
- In times when feelings of loneliness become too strong to deal with, you may be experiencing a depressive episode.
In the past, I used alcohol as a coping mechanism, but now I use healthier coping methods such as mindfulness and meditation among other tools. Nevertheless, that means your loneliness in recovery previous social support group is now gone. That’s why it’s incredibly important to find people to connect with in recovery in order to build a healthier social network.
How Do You Cope with Loneliness in Addiction Recovery?
Addiction recovery is a difficult journey, and sometimes it can also feel like a very lonely one. Many of those in the addiction recovery process often report that they feel lonely and isolated. The worst part of being lonely is that it can sometimes mirror how you felt while you were struggling with addiction. Substance abuse is often the way people deal with feeling lonely and depressed. Using drugs or alcohol feels like an escape where you don’t have to deal with your emotional pain and loneliness. Unfortunately, when drinking or using drugs turns into an addiction, the loneliness gets even worse as the relationships around you crumble.
When you see any kind of announcement for any kind of social event, go participate. In general, those who struggle with loneliness are at higher risk of developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol. The addict going into in-patient rehab treatment is leaving behind existing social networks and support structures to go into an unknown atmosphere and environment alone and uncertain. There, they’ll face uncomfortable situations and hard decisions while separated from those who they’d naturally lean on during stressful situations. The key here is not just talking to someone, but talking to someone about your feelings of loneliness.
Should You Quit Smoking While Recovering from Addiction?
While it might help just to be around other people, you still might feel lonely if you just sneak into a meeting and sit in the back. It’s important to remember that loneliness isn’t just the absence of companionship; it’s the presence of psychological stress. Studies have shown that loneliness is linked to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a greater likelihood of high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and psychological distress. If you’re feeling lonely in recovery, here are some suggestions for what to do about it. The last thing to remember is that there are healthy ways to cope with loneliness that don’t involve drugs or alcohol.
- What we suggest here is to pay attention to what’s happening in your community or neighborhood and join in whenever you see an announcement for a public event.
- Matthews co-authored a study out of King’s College London about loneliness as a potential marker for other problems.
- Be sure to learn the difference between an apology and making amends, and seek support from those who have made amends before you.