How to Gain Perspective in Drug Abuse Treatment
Everyone has the occasional bad day, and those tough days are even more likely if you’re going through drug abuse treatment. One of the most effective ways to get through a challenging time is to develop a positive inner dialogue with yourself. Positive, motivating affirmations can help you push aside negative thoughts and overcome the obstacles in your life. Here are a few simple, but powerful, thoughts to keep in mind when life in recovery from drugs and alcohol gets tough.
7 Things to Keep in Mind When Drug Abuse Treatment Gets Tough
1. We can grow and learn through failure.
We aren’t meant to succeed at everything, and some of life’s greatest lessons are learned through failure. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, try looking at them as opportunities to grow and learn from your mistakes.
2. If you’re doing your best, that’s enough.
The quest for perfection can be toxic. The truth is, nobody will ever be perfect – you can’t be everything at all times. Recovery from alcohol addiction or substance addiction is a lifelong process, and it’s hard to get through this process without error. As long as you can honestly say that you’re doing your best, then that is enough.
3. You have everything you need within you right now.
Let’s face it – life isn’t always fair. It’s easy to get discouraged and tell yourself that you can’t achieve your goals because you don’t have the same things other people have. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, remind yourself that you already have everything you need to succeed. You’re an incredible person with the potential to be whatever you want to be.
4. Your emotions and thoughts do not define you.
One principle of Buddhist meditation is the concept of being a “watcher” of your thoughts and feelings. This helps you detach yourself from thoughts that go through your mind: You have thoughts and feelings, but they aren’t part of your identity. When you can develop this awareness about your mental activity, you’ll become less consumed by your thoughts and emotions and more able to achieve a sense of peace.
5. You can control your stories.
Another key Buddhist principle is the concept of “emptiness”. This means that things only have meaning when we assign them meaning. When you realize that you control the meaning attached to things, it’s easier to change the way you view things that happen to you. You’re not denying that things happen, you’re just adjusting your outlook to see things in a more positive light.
6. It’s ok to have negative feelings.
Nobody feels positive all of the time, especially when you’re in recovery. Disappointment, discouragement and fear are part of life’s reality, and it’s ok to have these uncomfortable feelings sometimes. Prepare yourself to accept these feelings as they come and do whatever it takes to work through them.
7. Look how far you’ve come!
Think about it: You’ve survived substance abuse, and you’ve made it this far in your recovery. You’ve already made it a lot further than many people in your battle against addiction. Don’t feel discouraged if you hit a bump in the road. You’ve got this.
Life isn’t easy, and it can be particularly difficult when you’re in recovery from alcohol addiction or drug abuse. The temptation to drink or use again gets worse when you’re having a rough day. With these simple mantras in mind, you’ll be better prepared to handle life’s challenges and move forward with a positive outlook.
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