Rediscovering Passion
Early sobriety is a chance for rediscovery and great renewal. After leaving an addiction treatment center, you’re free to pursue your passions or chase your dreams. But oftentimes, in the grip of an addiction, people lose their greatest interests and enthusiasms to the sway of their drug. And just as easily, early sobriety can warp into a bewildering experience as you struggle to recapture the joy and energy of your previous life. To rediscover passion in early recovery, you must quiet the mind, care for the body, and clarify your desires.
During addiction, the mind is clouded by cravings for the drug and weighed down by negative feelings such as guilt, shame, anger, or sadness. Within this tempestuous atmosphere, passions cannot flourish. Steps must be taken to quiet and restore the mind. Practices such as mindfulness meditation and gratitude journals, methods commonly used in addiction recovery facilities, help the mind return to balance and peace, giving you a much stronger and healthy base from which to begin your recovery journey and rediscover passion.
The next step in reclaiming passion is to care for the body, which is damaged and weakened by drug use. This is often the first priority in drug rehab after detoxification. Organs must be restored at the cellular level, calling for a healthy, nutritious diet and vitamins and supplements to help replenish low stores. Regular exercise strengthens the body, boosts mood, and helps repair the body. But in addition to caring for the body with food and exercise, take time to appreciate all five of your senses. Take a walk on the beach at sunset, invigorate your skin with a face mask, listen to a symphony, or eat a chocolate sundae. Revel in your lived body and learn to experience and enjoy the world around you once again. When your body is healthy and strong, and you’re connected with your senses, you’re more equipped to chase after your passions.
Finally, a period of both reflection and action is required to clarify your desires. Recall what brought you life before drug use, and pick those things up again, whether they’re hobbies, people, places, activities, or social causes. If you’ve suffered from addiction for a significant period of time, it’s likely that you’ve changed in the intervening years. Maybe your passions have subtly shifted, and what once gave you joy no longer challenges you. While this could be seen as an obstacle, try to think of it as an opportunity to explore widely and pursue as many different activities as possible.
If you or someone you love is trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction, please email or call United Drug Rehab Group, and we’ll assist you in finding a luxury drug rehab program that addresses your needs. Our experienced and empathetic staff are trained to treat dual diagnosis and can offer a safe and supervised detoxification. During treatment, clients participate in both individual and group counseling meetings, discover the underlying cause of their addiction, and cultivate a sober network of peers and mentors. Please contact us today to start the next chapter of your life.
