Learning to manage challenging emotions is crucial in recovery. Learn how to overcome loneliness during addiction recovery.
It is crucial to have loved ones and your support network around you to help maintain your recovery aspirations. Nonetheless, it is just as vital to understand how to manage loneliness in recovery when it strikes. Feelings of social isolation in recovery can compound and trigger relapse, making overcoming loneliness an important goal on your list.
Loneliness and boredom in addiction recovery do not have to be permanent feelings. There are many ways to safeguard your journey to battle these negative thoughts. You can learn how to overcome loneliness during addiction recovery with some practice, patience and determination.
“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.”
– May Sarton
Why Do People Feel Lonely in Addiction Recovery?
Emotional well-being in recovery can be wavering at times. Some days, you will feel on top of the world; other days, you may feel incredibly alone. These waves of loneliness are common, even if you have a strong support system while in recovery.
There are many different reasons why people may feel lonely in recovery. Some of the most common factors include:
- Mourning friendships lost to addiction
- Desiring a lifestyle with fewer restrictions
- Longing for the excitement of misusing substances
- Having too much free time to overthink
- Lacking confidence in meeting new people
- Feeling overwhelmed by exploring new things
Everyone has their own unique reasons for feeling lonely in recovery, but all share a common desire to overcome these thoughts. Still, there is one primary leading cause of loneliness that everyone in recovery will experience: BOREDOM.
“Is life not a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
Learn How to Overcome Loneliness During Addiction Recovery
Boredom in addiction recovery is closely related to loneliness. Since boredom can heighten the risk of relapse, it is crucial to identify and prevent it when possible. One of the best ways to approach this is by identifying coping strategies for isolation in recovery. Some methods include:
- Journaling both negative and positive thoughts
- Keeping a multi-purpose daily diary
- Using self-care and productivity apps such as Finch or Habitica
- Learning a new skill by using online tutorials
- Creating art for your living space
- Taking a class at the local community center
- Adopting a new hobby out of your comfort zone
- Getting an easy part-time job
- Setting realistic goals and breaking them down into smaller steps
- Celebrating your progress with small treats and rewards
There are so many more self-care strategies for people in recovery who want to avoid loneliness and boredom. Staying connected in recovery with like-minded people can also give you more ideas for staying busy. Ultimately, finding purpose in recovery should be a priority if you are struggling with loneliness.
“What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.”
– Ellen Burstyn
Top Tips on How to Overcome Loneliness During Addiction Recovery
There are endless ways to battle boredom and isolation in recovery while keeping loneliness at bay. These are some of our top tips on keeping your mental health and addiction recovery progress on the right path.
- Work on building support in recovery. Think about how to rebuild relationships after addiction. Stay connected with supportive family members and friends who can help you combat loneliness.
- Join a club. Make good use of your social connections in addiction treatment and get together with others in recovery. Joining a bowling club or participating in any social activity is a great reason to leave the house.
- Connect with yourself. Meditation and mindfulness for addiction recovery are life-changing. Connecting with yourself daily includes talking to yourself, keeping a journal, documenting your thoughts and learning to enjoy solitude.
- Confront and accept your emotions. To address and overcome your feelings of loneliness, you must face them head-on.
- Take yourself out to dinner. Being alone does not mean that you have to be lonely. Solo dining is not uncommon. It is a great way to enjoy your meal rather than focusing on conversation.
- Exercise. The role of exercise in addiction recovery is immense. It does more than strengthen your muscles and endurance. Exercise releases dopamine and endorphins, flooding your body and brain with positive feelings.
- Avoid doom scrolling. Excess time spent on social media can be triggering. One study even suggests that people who spend more time on social media may experience heightened feelings of social isolation.
- Grieve the loss of your addiction. Although drug misuse was destroying your life, it was still a big part of it. It was important to you at one point, although you now see that it was not beneficial.
- Be patient with yourself. Change will not happen overnight, no matter how hard you try. You must learn that instant gratification is not on your path to recovery.
- Talk to someone if you need help. If you are struggling with loneliness, contact a trusted recovery friend or loved one. You can also call or text 988 to get confidential emotional support and crisis counseling.
You can overcome loneliness in addiction recovery and lead a fulfilling, exciting life. The power of change is in your hands. This journey will require patience and perseverance, but your hard work will pay off as you reach new heights and achieve your goals.
Addiction Recovery with BAART Programs
BAART Programs offer patients medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. In addition to specialized, expert addiction care, patients can also access counseling services. This powerful combination of medication and mental health services offers patients the best chance for long-term recovery success.
Patients also enjoy the benefits of the surrounding BAART recovery community. With group counseling and recovery-friendly events, boredom and loneliness take a back seat. Many BAART patients have made connections through our recovery programs that will last them a lifetime.
If you are ready to seek support for opioid addiction, call the BAART Programs treatment center near you or reach out to our team online today.
