Is Addiction Causing You To Isolate?

Spending time alone can be wonderful, but if you’ve ditched your friends and family to be alone, you may be isolating. You may think you’re just enjoying solo time, but in reality, you could be avoiding people directly due to your drinking or using drugs.

When it comes to recovery from addiction, many on the recovery path say that addiction is the only disease that tells you that you are alright. That whatever you’re doing or not doing is fine. That however much you’re drinking or drugging won’t hurt you.

But it’s all lies.

Actively struggling with addiction is not alright. All the chemicals you’re putting into your body can hurt you. In fact, excessive drinking or taking drugs oftentimes causes heartache for the person struggling with addiction, as well as their loved ones. All the commercials on TV might portray partying as the cool thing to do, but it’s not cool for millions of people who are living in an addiction nightmare.

It’s not uncommon for everyone to know this except for the addicted person stuck in denial. Is that you? Have you been drinking or taking the drugs more and more, while allowing friends and family to go by the wayside? Have you lost interest in many things once enjoyed?

Recovery Involves Reconnecting To Others

If this sounds like you, one role of recovery is to help you get and stay connected with others instead of isolating. Even if you’re shy or a loner, having some sort of meaningful connection is healthy and can help you feel like someone has your back. Some guys may proudly announce that they don’t need anyone, but deep down, it’s quite likely they wish they could make a solid connection with others.

The thing is, if you continue to isolate, you could find yourself relapsing time and time again. Good news is that there are various options for you to get on the recovery path, such as recovery meetings, therapy, residential, or an outpatient rehab. Your particular path toward recovery will be based on what you want and need in the present and future.

Treatment Programs

Residential addiction treatment centers are a good place to start for those with moderate to severe addictions. This kind of rehab is a program in which a person goes and stays at the rehab for a period, such as a month or two. However, the stay can be extended if need be. There you will learn about addiction recovery, relapse prevention, and other skills helpful for navigating life, like coping skills or conflict management.

In an outpatient program, you attend a number of sessions during the week, but you don’t stay at the facility. Both programs are quite successful in helping people get and stay clean.

12 Step Meetings

Along with inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, 12 Step programs are valuable tools for those struggling with addiction. Whether it is Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous, the support group offers a non-judgmental and welcoming feel that is inviting to all. Usually when a person begins attending a 12 Step meeting, they are worn down and struggling with negative emotions. They’ve been struggling with addiction for a while and need unconditional love, support, and encouragement. Many in recovery state that when they first attended a 12 Step meeting, they felt relief because they were in the company of those who understood them.

Connecting With Others

Authentic connection is more important than most people think. In order to make those heartfelt connections, you have to be willing to open up and share. Granted, you’ll be encouraged to share at an inpatient or outpatient alcohol or drug rehab program. However, once those programs are over, continuing connections with others is important.

This is one reason why 12 Step meetings can be so powerful. You can go to meetings and share your struggles, victories, fears, and other things you’re experiencing along your recovery journey.

You can also encourage others. It is a powerful thing to feel like you have people who have your back all the time no matter what you say or do.

Signs That You’re Isolating

When you commit to a recovery program or are walking the recovery path on your own, it is important to stay connected with a support system. At the very least, you want to be sure you have one or two people to call or visit if and when you’re struggling. It’s not always easy to do so, but it could be the difference between staying sober or relapsing.

If you begin to isolate, it could be a sign that you are slipping and could be headed for a relapse. Here are a few signs that you could be isolating:

  • Your thought life has become ultra-negative
  • Craving your drug of choice more often
  • Becoming angry more often
  • Battling loneliness
  • Not engaging in activities once enjoyed
  • Avoiding loved ones
  • Missing work
  • Sleeping more than usual
  • Binge watching television shows day after day
  • Playing video games far too much
  • Lying to others about your whereabouts
  • Ghosting loved ones

Be careful when it comes to isolation, as it can lead you right back into active addiction. It doesn’t matter how much time you spend at an alcohol or drug facility or how confident you feel. If you start isolating, you put yourself at risk.

Reaching Out For Help

Are you struggling with an addiction to alcohol or a drug? Or are you spending most of your time alone? Are your loved ones concerned about how much you’re isolating?

If so, perhaps it’s time to reach out for professional help. There’s no shame in saying that you need some solid support. If you’re interested in a residential or outpatient alcohol or drug rehab, make a decision today to make some phone calls and get yourself an appointment with a specialist. If you need addiction services in Vancouver, we can help you here at Into Action Recovery Society.

There is freedom, as well as more peace and joy, on the other side of addiction. Give yourself permission today to get in touch with those that can help you.

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