While many individuals go into recovery believing it is all sunshine and roses, this is often not the case. While you will have good days in recovery, there will be days that make you feel as if you can’t do it anymore. However, this feeling is normal, and you shouldn’t be worried or ashamed because of it. Recovery is hard work that takes a lot of mental, emotional, and physical energy. Due to the hard work that recovery requires, there will be times when you feel burnt out. Countless people experience recovery burnout from time to time, and the majority of the individuals conquer it to continue on the path to sobriety. By educating yourself on recovery burnout, you can know how to spot it and overcome it when it happens to you.
You have most likely experienced mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion due to extreme stress at some point in your life. This feeling is known as burnout, and it occurs when you become overwhelmed due to constant pressure and demands, causing you to be emotionally, mentally, and physically drained. Burnout is a common feeling that can happen to anyone. Recovery burnout is similar but happens to those currently in recovery from addiction.
Recovery burnout can be defined as the feeling you get after being in recovery for some time and are feeling exhausted from the amount of dedication, time, and energy it requires. This experience usually occurs after the “pink cloud” period, which occurs in early recovery when individuals feel on top of the world thanks to their new sobriety. Recovery burnout comes when reality begins to set in, and you experience feelings that seem to be the exact opposite of those in early recovery. It can cause you to harbor negative feelings towards the recovery process and those inside the treatment bubble.
The feelings of recovery burnout are similar to those of regular burnout, except some are more specific to recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. There are various things you may be feeling, and it is essential to remember that burnout affects people in different ways. However, some common signs and symptoms can point to you having recovery burnout. These include, but are not limited to:
Recovery is a long journey that doesn’t end when you leave treatment. Therefore, it is possible to feel recovery burnout in the future, especially when you have been in the process for a prolonged period. This is why it is essential to recognize its symptoms and have strategies in mind for when it hits you. This way, you can be sure that you are prepared for this feeling and know that it won’t jeopardize your recovery.
If you feel yourself becoming burnt out in recovery, consider the following tips:
If your recovery burnout is taking a toll on your mental state in recovery, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Everyone stumbles from time to time, and it is better to admit you need help rather than falling off track and having to start from the beginning again. Your counselors, sober friends, sponsors, and other trusted individuals are there to support you even on difficult days. Don’t let your pride get in the way of your healing. If you try the coping methods mentioned above, it is essential to talk to someone that can help you in the right direction and keep you in the recovery process.
Recovery burnout is a part of recovery that many people are unaware of. When this happens, many individuals become overwhelmed and discouraged. However, it is a common part of the process, and knowing how to recognize the symptoms and overcome them can help you keep your recovery on track. If you are struggling with recovery burnout, talking to someone who has experienced it before or is aware of it can help you come out of it. The staff at NorthStar Transitions in Boulder, CO, are expertly trained to help our clients during difficult phases of recovery, such as burnout. You will be given individualized treatment to address your personal healing journey to set you up for success in recovery. While clinical excellence is at the core of the NorthStar program, the NorthStar experience extends far outside the walls of the treatment center. To learn more about our programs, you can contact us at (303) 558-6400. Remember, there is no shame in feeling burnout from recovery. You can make the decision to overcome it and keep working towards sobriety.
