Deciding that you need to seek help for substance use can be challenging, but getting in the right mindset for recovery is even more challenging. Once you have chosen to start recovering, your mind may be flooded with a million thoughts, questions, and fears about what this new life will hold for you. It is one thing to see others go through rehab or see it portrayed on TV or in movies, but it is an entirely different ballgame when you are going into that world yourself. Your perceived perception of rehab may be wholly changed once you enter, but the thought of not knowing what to expect can be scary for some. Learning more about recovery and rehab can help you think about recovery in a more positive manner and prepare you to begin your journey to healing.
It is not uncommon for those struggling with active addiction to be fearful or have doubts about recovery. Many honestly believe that they can stop at any time on their own, thinking they do not need a rehab center or someone else showing them how to stop using drugs or alcohol. Recovery symbolizes a drastic life change, which can be frightening for some. You are beginning a new way of life and deciding to engage in a complete turnaround. Even if you know that it will be right for you, you may still have some reservations.
For some, the fear of getting clean and then relapsing hits hard. It can be terrifying to think about doing all of that work to stop using substances just to fall off the wagon again. However, you learn more about addiction and relapse while in recovery, where you will begin to understand that even if you relapse, it is not the end of the world. You will also learn coping mechanisms and any possible future trigger to deal with these thoughts. For every fear you have about recovery, there is always a solution. Recovery is about learning to live a happy and healthy life in sobriety. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask the staff at the facility. They want you to be comfortable and in the right headspace to progress in your recovery.
Many individuals struggle with a fixed mindset when it comes to thinking about recovery. You may believe that some individuals can better handle problems life throws at them than you. You may even believe that some people are just better able to stop using drugs and alcohol and get out of addiction. With this mindset, you may feel stuck and start making excuses about why you can’t heal. This negative self-talk will do nothing to get you on the path to recovery but rather keep you locked away in the darkness of addiction. To get out of a fixed mindset, you must change your perception of the world and your capabilities. Understand that even though it will be difficult, you are capable of freeing yourself from the chains of addiction and living a happy and sober life.
Some people have a preconceived notion of what they think recovery and rehab will be like. Perhaps you know someone who tried to get clean and failed or someone who got clean and now seems dull. Remember that this is all based on your perceived notions of what recovery will be, and it doesn’t mean that the same will happen to you.
You must realize that recovery is different for every single person. No matter what you think recovery will be like, it may differ from your expectations. Recovery is unlike the life you were living before, but this is for the best. When you open yourself up to the possibilities of recovery, you are more likely to learn and embrace a new way of life. This way, you can progress in recovery at your own pace rather than setting impossible expectations for yourself that you may never meet.
No matter what feelings you have towards recovery and rehab, you should know that healing is worth it. Through healing, you can find yourself again and learn to live a healthy and happy life. The fears, resentment, expectations, and fixed mindset you may have going into recovery are nothing compared to the joy, healing, friendships, and adventures you will have in recovery. Take the risk and find yourself on your way to healing.
When you decide you should enter rehab or start your recovery journey, you may not be in the proper mindset due to fears, expectations, and other mental obstacles. Conquering these reservations that are holding you back will allow you to enter into the right headspace to learn how to heal from addiction. You must learn how to overcome your preconceived notions of recovery that are feeding into these thoughts and anxieties. At Northstar Transitions, we encourage our residents to ask questions and talk to our staff should they ever feel nervous about their path to sobriety. We understand the life change you are going through and how it may be affecting your mental health. There are answers to the questions you have and coping mechanisms to deal with the anxiety you may be feeling. For more help getting into the right mindset for recovery, call us today at (303) 558-6400. We are ready and willing to help you with any thoughts about recovery. We want to encourage you to live your best life!
