Finding Your Identity in Recovery
When you have suffered from addiction for a long time, it might be hard to see yourself as something other than an “addict.” This way of looking at yourself can make the recovery process quite difficult. Some people are unable to shake this view of themselves and end up relapsing. However, this doesn’t have to happen.
Finding a new identity while undergoing addiction recovery might be challenging, but it is always worth it. At Choice House, we work hard to make sure members of our community know that they aren’t just “addicts.”
Shedding the Addict Image
It can be challenging to find the person hiding under the image of the “addict.” That person is there; it is just going to take some work to get them to the surface.
The first step in shedding your identity as an addict is to stop using substances. This can be done in several ways. Some people can quit cold turkey, but this method doesn’t work for everyone, especially those deep into an addiction. Quitting cold turkey can result in amplified withdrawal symptoms, which may be life-threatening in some cases.
Therapy is another method people often use to deal with addiction. Professional counselors who specialize in treating those with addictions will likely offer the best advice.
For many people, entering a treatment program is the best way to overcome addiction and avoid future relapse. Treatment may involve checking yourself into a facility for several weeks to a year, depending on the severity of your substance use.
Every treatment program is different, so you should decide on one that can offer the most help for your specific needs. For example, Choice House is a treatment facility specializing in treating men’s needs pertaining to addiction. We utilize outdoor activities as a therapy method, which our community has found to help foster their growth into a new identity.
Learning to Love Yourself
Maybe you’ve done things in the past that look back and make you cringe. Maybe some of those memories make you hate the person you used to be. However, if you are looking back at those memories with regret, it means that you have grown as a person.
If you have decided to start your journey to recovery, you have made the first step in becoming a better person, not just for the people around you but also for yourself. That is something to be proud of.
We’ve all heard that we should “accept the things we can’t change,” especially when it comes to our past. Though it may be a cliché, there is great truth to the statement. You can’t go back and change things in the past, no matter how hard you try. The only way you can grow is to keep moving forward, but first, you must learn to love yourself. Like addiction recovery, learning to love yourself isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight. It’s something you’re going to have to work at every day, but it will all be worth it in the end.
There are many ways you can work towards learning to love yourself. Meditation works for many people as it allows them to be alone with themselves for several minutes of the day without being burdened by constant thoughts. Exercising and eating a proper diet is another way to show yourself some care.
Arrive, Dive, Thrive
“Arrive, dive, thrive” is a principal at Choice House that focuses on helping men find the power they need and owning it. We instill this principle by helping you every step of the way through your healing process.
We then dive into you as a person and try to find any underlying causes for your addiction. Knowing the reasons why you may have turned to substance use can make the process easier. Underlying causes for addiction can include past trauma, mental health issues, and more. Our trained therapists and supportive community will then help you understand and work through these underlying causes.
You will also dive into plenty of new activities that you may not have experienced before, including hiking, fly fishing, skiing, and more. Through these activities and group therapies, we will help you find the person that has always been inside you.
At Choice House, we will work hard to make sure you thrive in your life after treatment. Our treatment methods have proven to be efficient in combating future relapse. The new you is waiting to come out, and we want to help you find him.
Seeing yourself as anything other than an “addict” can be a challenging thing to do, but shedding this identity is an integral part of the recovery process. At Choice House, we work closely with our patients to help them shed the image of the “addict” and find a new identity. We do this in several ways. Outdoor therapy, support group meetings, and meetings with professional therapists are all a part of our treatment programs. Our lovely community also offers an excellent support system, which always results in life-long friendships. It is important to us that you continue to thrive after undergoing treatment, which is why we will work hard to find any underlying reasons for your addiction and help you work through them. We offer gender-specific programs that provide a more comfortable environment for men going through treatment. Start your journey to recovery and healing today by calling Choice House at (720) 577-4422.