Working to overcome addiction is going to pit you against a host of problems, and they’ll be unique to you: no two people have the same experience when going through recovery. Although the obstacles you face are your own, it can be highly helpful to be prepared with knowledge of the most common forms of roadblocks that most people face throughout addiction and recovery. Understanding the potential situations that could arise can help you be ready to address any problems as they arise.
Internal Negativity
One of the most common problems that people face when they are struggling with overcoming substance abuse is negativity from within themselves. Internal negativity can come in the form of pessimistic thoughts, destructive feelings, or negative images within your mind. Emotions like anger, sadness, confusion, guilt, anxiety, stress, and others can form as consequences of your mind’s battle with addiction, and if not managed effectively, they can hamper your progress in getting out of the situation. When negative feelings begin to surface, do your best to focus on the positive parts of your life, and reach out to professional help if necessary, so that you can keep progressing toward your dreams.
Challenging Cravings
A nearly-universal obstacle for people working to get over an addiction is the onslaught of intense cravings and urges to use drugs, alcohol, or other sources of addiction. Cravings can pose a true danger to a person in recovery, especially if they’re also battling a physical dependence upon a substance.
On top of cravings, many people in recovery have to be extra careful to watch for triggers – people, situations, or behaviors that can influence them to use. The combination of cravings and triggers can make recovery feel like a constant battle. Although addiction cravings can be challenging, it’s not impossible to overcome them. With the right knowledge and preparation in place, cravings can be managed and controlled with confidence.
Social Isolation
Addiction and substance abuse can cause some people to grow distant from others. Whether it’s from your friends, family, loved ones, mentors, coworkers, or other people who play a significant role in your life, addiction can cause you to distance yourself from people who may be able to help. It’s important to understand the role that addiction can play in your life, as well as how it may affect how your interactions with others, so that you watch for signs of isolation in your own behavior and begin building connections instead of walls.
Problems in Your Professional Life
Substance abuse and addiction can lead to major problems in your work and career path. It can cause you to be late or even miss work completely, hold you back from capable functioning, interfere with your ability to complete important tasks, develop trouble focusing, and bring about many more forms of difficulty in your productivity.
If the root problem of addiction is not solved, it can also lead to job loss and can cause a person to miss out on a successful career trajectory. If you are working as you go through the process of recovering from addiction, try to set up safeguards within yourself and with the people you trust to keep you moving forward, both personally and professionally.
The Impact on Personal Relationships
Addiction can put a major strain on your relationships, causing feelings of distrust or remorse to grow even between people who have been close for years. Addiction can negatively impact your connections with loved ones and cause distance between people who care about each other. Substance abuse can affect and change a person’s social circle, as well as who they decide to be around. Be sure to remain honest with yourself about your relationships and listen to the people who care about you, especially if they’re concerned about your progress.
Feelings of Being Lost
Of the many feelings that can stem from addiction and recovery, confusion is one of the most common. Not knowing how to start building a better life can pose a challenge when you’re ready to make a change. Throughout the confusion, it’s useful to know that you can find your way through anything that you put your heart and soul into and that you don’t have to go it alone.
Increased Difficulties Throughout Life
For some, addiction can lead to even more problems throughout life, ranging from your mental and physical health to your finances and career to your social life and romantic relationships. If addiction is not addressed as soon as possible, these problems tend to worsen over time, making it that much more crucial to develop strong problem-solving skills.
Beyond the many roadblocks and problems that addiction can present, the possibilities of what your life can be are waiting to be discovered. Reaching out to professional help and connecting with your peers in sobriety can provide crucial support for your journey of healing. Promising Outlook is an outpatient rehab facility in Riverside, California. We offer a variety of specialized treatment options for addiction, substance abuse, relapse prevention, and detox. We also work with problems related to mental illness, stress, and anger management using a wide range of effective therapy modalities. We believe in providing those in need with the knowledge and tools that they need to be successful in life and embody the best version of themselves possible. Whether you’re new to recovery or are looking to give your current methods a boost, we can help you every step of the way. To learn more about how we can guide you towards a better life, call us at (951) 783-2487.
