It can be a huge challenge to wait for the recovery to settle into your bones and finally make a modicum of sense. After being used to one way of being, now your body and mind are having to get used to another way of being and how to do things differently. Rather than sit in the feelings, you are used to numbing them with substances or behaviors that did not help you figure things out. Find out why it can be hard to practice patience in recovery with yourself (and others), while finding some peace in the journey.

Early Recovery

Early recovery is its own animal in the journey. It is like being a newborn all over again. Learning how to walk on those sea legs that have been used to doing things differently. Now, the tune has changed and you are starting to figure out that life is not the same. Getting sober is the first step in the process, but it is one of many that need to happen to experience necessary growth, healing, and change. Early on, you may feel like being hard on yourself and that mentally, physically, and emotionally you are drained but this is normal and you will survive.

Post-Acute Phase

The first 18 months are really the hardest on people, overall. Patience and faith are two important things to practice, to understand things will gradually improve to find balance and healing. The next phase can be much more emotional and psychological. Learning to navigate the ups and downs are what will set you apart from others on the journey. Just by doing it one step at a time, you are making progress towards your goal.

Meet in the Middle

The middle phase can last up to 10 years or longer, wherein you will do a lot of inner healing work. Finding the underlying causes and conditions that drove your addictions will help you figure things out and bring clarity to recovery. During this time, therapy will be greatly helpful. You may also:

  • Find new places for support in recovery like step groups
  • Move into a more spiritual place of healing with yoga, meditation, etc
  • Find recovery takes you to deeper places creatively to help express what is happening including writing, music, or other outlets

The deeper you go down, the deeper you go within, and that is where true healing lies. Realistically, the reason you feel impatient in recovery is because it took you awhile to get here, now, and it will take you awhile to get back out again. The truth is you will never be fully recovered, it is a journey made of a thousand tiny steps forward, with some steps backward. Learning patience now can help you when you stumble on the path, to get up and keep going, even when life is doing its best to keep you down. With the right help and support, you can recover from addiction and continue living a healthy, long life.

The Springboard Center’s addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each client. We help you learn tools and resources that will support healing now and in the future. It is important to recognize that many of our services offer a group setting and environment, so that the client spends time with other people affected by the same chronic disease and problems. 432-620-0255