Stay Away From Feeling Like This
Hungry, angry, lonely, and tired are four feelings that are especially dangerous for an addict or alcoholic in recovery. It is widely discussed in treatment to never let yourself get too far along in these physical and emotional states. The reasoning behind this is, each of these feelings can increasingly stress our minds and bodies, which could put us at an elevated risk of relapse.
If you sit back and think about how hunger makes you feel, the term “food mood” might come to mind. Hunger can lead to agitation and unknowingly, it can cause you to reach for something that you don’t really want or need. Moving on to anger, there is a wide range of feelings we may experience, from irritation to rage. On the extreme end, we can find ourselves in serious trouble, possibly even with the law.
It is sometimes said in recovery circles that we “drank at” someone, or the old saying that says, we “were drinking the poison, hoping the other person would die.” Anger and resentments can take us out like nothing else; your job is to not let them.
Coming to loneliness and sleep deprivation, these are also two states that don’t bode well for recovery. If you’re lonely, you may begin to feel sorry for yourself, and turn to your old “buddies,” drugs and alcohol. If you’re tired, your judgment isn’t where it should be, and reaching for a nightcap or a pick-me-up might begin to sound like a good idea. If we take good care of ourselves and pay attention to how we are feeling, we can avoid putting our sobriety in jeopardy.
Keeping Your Body and Mind in Check
There are some simple things that you can do on a daily basis to keep your body and mind in check. Eat small snacks throughout the day and practice meditation. If you attend 12-step meetings reach out to people and get to know new friends in the program. Check your sleep hygiene and be sure that you are getting an adequate amount of sleep each night.
These tips are just a few of the many that are given to you in treatment. If you are ready to start your journey in recovery, give us a call. We are here to help you every step of the way; your recovery is possible and it can begin today.
The Lakehouse Recovery Center offers private, residential care. Our program brings together recovery and non recovery focused treatments to help clients heal and learn how to live life again, without drugs and alcohol. Call us today for information: 877.762.3707