Anything that helped sustain active addiction can and will rob your recovery and sobriety.
Recovery is not just being sober. Being sober is an important part of recovery, but changing attitudes and behaviors that encourage additive use is equally important. If you had emotional triggers during your addiction (example you used more if you were sad or angry) then it’s logical that when you’re sober that those same emotions will trigger you to want to use again. Thus, the need for positive coping skills when you feel those so called uncomfortable emotions. In my experience it’s better to apply coping skills when things are going well, so it’s more natural when things are more challenging. A great example of this would be a professional athlete that trains during the off season in order to be in shape for the actual paying season. If we have coping skills in place, before we are triggered, we are more likely to use them when triggered. It’s not a good idea to not prepare for life on life’s terms. Recovery is not always peaches and dandelions, life happens, even when we are trying to do the right thing. With the right attitude, support and coping skills, you don’t have to use again. You can win this battle.
Greg Masterson LADAC
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