What is recovery?

A big hurdle for individuals in treatment is finding acceptance in recovery. When individuals cannot accept the process of change throughout addiction treatment, they are less likely to gain the healing and open up to the knowledge they need to learn throughout treatment. 

 

Without change, an individual in treatment is held back, which is why it is so important for them to see the need for change. Some reasons why individuals have difficulty finding acceptance in recovery include:

1. They simply do not see the need for change. Therefore, they do not wish to change.

2. They are afraid of the unknown that change brings to life.

3. They would rather not change and stick with what they know than gamble with change.

4. The change proposed does not seem comforting to the individual.

5. They have an automatic negative reaction to change because they are opposed to others’ demands.

Sure, change is unknown territory, but is the unknown always a bad thing? Life is constantly moving and changing; change is the way of the world and part of each life. If a person never changed, they would remain the same their whole lives and never grow or learn. Change is necessary to receive any benefit to life, and the same goes for recovery. If an individual does not learn to embrace change recovery brings, they are setting themselves up for immediate failure. But, for those who do understand and embrace change, the benefits are plentiful. Change throughout recovery is important because:

1. Addictive behaviors need to change to become successful throughout sobriety.

2. Recovery is a process and not a switch that is flipped. It takes growth and development to discover the benefits of recovery.

3. Staying in one place does not encourage the learning of knowledge needed for successful recovery.

4. The lifestyle of addiction is a cycle that must be broken through change. Without change, a person is doomed to remain within the cycle of addiction.

It is most common for people to make changes in their lives once it is completely necessary. Change can be scary and accepting change in life often means some discomfort. Most people yearn for a safe and comfortable feeling, but in many cases, getting out of the comfort zone brings about growth. 

 

Comfort revolves around maintaining habits. Humans tend to be creatures of habit which means when we try to make change happen, it feels as if we are going against human instincts. Fortunately, we are capable of reprogramming and overriding habits. The following tips can help with acceptance in recovery and accepting change in life. 

1. Start With Intention-Finding acceptance in recovery starts with a shift in mindset. To deal with or to enact change, you should stand by the idea that recovery is your chosen action. Though it sounds cliche, create an intention and support it. Accepting change in life is a tool that will be useful throughout the entirety of life. Life is filled with change, and the feelings that come with change are only temporary. When you make an intention to find acceptance in recovery, be definite. Vague intentions are difficult to commit to. 

2. Find Motivation-Each of us finds motivation in different areas of life. Intentions can get us started and can help us align with our goals. Without sufficient motivation, we may find ourselves moving off track in terms of our goals. Motivation must come from within and encourage us to meet our goals. In treatment, you may find motivation in your peers overcoming challenges or through therapy sessions. Wherever it may be, motivation can help when accepting change in life. When you can come to an understanding that the change you are experiencing is for the greater good of yourself and your health, acceptance in recovery becomes easier. 

3. Know Where You Stand: Embracing change and acceptance in recovery is not an easy task. Pride yourself on the progress that you make, but do not beat yourself up if you are having difficulty accepting change in life and recovery. Understanding how humans interact with change can help during the recovery process. 

Individuals who may fear change throughout recovery must first understand the importance of change so that they are more willing to adapt to it. Fortunately, individuals with a fear of change can learn to accept change so that they can benefit from it.

1. Accept that change is a vital part of the recovery process before even enrolling in recovery treatment/programs. This will set you up for success from day one.

2. Work on self-esteem throughout recovery so that you are more encouraged by the potential benefits that change may bring. Self-esteem exercises may include yoga, individualized therapy, and meditation exercises.

3. Express your thoughts and worries about change that recovery brings to yourself in written form. Expression is key to the acceptance of change.

4. Realize that the past equals addiction/trauma and that your decision to walk down the path of recovery is walking away from the consequences of those addictive behaviors. Once you are open to change, you are open to leaving your addiction/trauma in your past.