Here, then, are some thoughts on leaving the past behind and moving forward to new beginnings. Nothing eases the pain of letting go of the past and old friends like the making of new friends, engaging in new activities, and learning how to live a happy life in sobriety. Since you never know who might become a friend, the wise approach may be to behave as though every person you meet might one day be more than just a casual acquaintance.
New Beginnings: When Moving Forward Means Leaving the Past Behind
Whether this involves compromise or complete cutting off from the past is a purely individual choice. It is also important to remember that choices can be changed. With new information, new goals, new friends, hope and courage, all things are possible.
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This retort will sting, undoubtedly, but that does not make it true. What you have done by going through treatment to overcome your addiction took a great deal of courage and determination. Your newfound sobriety is a precious gift; yet you remain fragile and vulnerable in these early days of recovery. It will take more courage for you to walk away from the past, but it is something that you absolutely have to be willing to do. Think of this not as betrayal but as an affirmation of life – your life. You need to break free so that you can make your way in this new life that you have freely chosen.
By this, I mean not taking on too many tasks at one time. There are numerous times when they will take on as many projects as they can handle, regardless of the circumstances. The problem with this could be something to burn them out. Individuals who are in recovery must learn to be willing to pace themselves.
Recalculating Your Life in Recovery
- Your job now is to work on your recovery, day in and day out, without fail.
- In 2018, I experienced one of the darkest days of my life when I lost my 15-year-old daughter to the tragedy of suicide.
- By this, I mean not taking on too many tasks at one time.
- Naturally, this is an extremely personal and painful decision, not one that you’d make lightly.
- I decided to dedicate my life to helping men rebuild their lives.
There is also the possibility that your relationship will fracture to the point of breaking. If your spouse continues to use and the temptation for you to join in becomes overwhelming, you may have no choice but to force a separation. Physically removing yourself from the toxic environment, even if it is only for a while, may be the only sane answer to you being able to maintain your sobriety. Naturally, this is an extremely personal and painful decision, not one that you’d make lightly. Get counseling to ensure that you’re making the right decision. Perhaps a coordinated family effort may convince your spouse that rehab is a better alternative.
Having a stable job, having stable financial situation and helping us get back on track and building for future really helps. The job coach of our partner agency comes to coach any guests that are looking for jobs. We also work with local temp agencies, contractors and other employers. Another way to best deal with this is by not allowing yourself to fall into the negativity of life. You cannot go through life comparing your recovery with someone else’s. If you struggle to get past the first few days and see someone who has just celebrated a year in recovery, do not be mad at where you are.
However, none of this was worse than being in the nightmare of just going through life in a zombie-like state of active addiction. One of the main things an individual in recovery needs to remember is to focus on what they have accomplished. When you find yourself struggling, remember what it was like before your recovery began. It could have been when your binge drinking nearly killed you. Having a recovery community to be part of is crucial in early sobriety. When you move into one of our houses, you’re not just moving into a sober house, you’re moving into a recovery community.
This should ease the pain a bit and allow you to further explore what life may be like without such influences that may prove destructive to your recovery. Some of your old friends will undoubtedly be the people you used to hang out drinking and partying with. Some may be co-workers or your best friend from college or high school. You may have grown up with the person and can’t envision your life without him or her. But when continuing the association threatens to sabotage your sobriety, you really have only one choice and that is to put Chelsea House Review Review some distance between you. You may hear all kinds of lamentations, pleas for you to reconsider, that the carousing and drinking and using will take a backseat to your friendship.
