When you get sober, there are many facets of your life you’re letting go of. Not to mention that recovery also means letting go of a part of who you are and an old way of relating to the world. Plus, in recovery, you might recognize just how much you’ve lost as a result of the addiction. The illness of addiction can destroy relationships, create financial harm, ruin a career, and divide a family. Addiction can create turmoil, loss, and reasons to grieve. And often, that grieving doesn’t happen until after recovery begins.
In fact, many men and women in recovery find themselves becoming more emotionally aware. As the numbness of addiction wears off and as they grow their ability to feel their emotions, people may feel more and more of the losses they’ve experienced in the past.
If you’re in recovery and you’re looking for a way to manage grief and loss, here are a few suggestions.