Check out more of our recovery blog content, or visit our recovery resources page. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Addictions can cover up past trauma or underlying feelings of emptiness, sadness, or fear.

When you’re an adult, you’re around other people at work–sometimes. However, people at work have their own lives and concerns and you may or may not have any points of connection. Whatever you do to combat loneliness, know that you are truly not alone, and there are many things you can do to feel more connected. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-cope-with-loneliness-during-addiction-recovery/ The feeling can be especially noticeable around the holidays, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, and times of extreme stress. Triggers bring up intense memories and feelings of using substances. They can be internal, such as feelings, or external, like coming into contact with people, places, and certain stressors.

Talk to Strangers

This loneliness can have real consequences for your recovery, your mental health, and even your physical health. An easy way to find connections in everyday life is by interacting in small ways with acquaintances or strangers you encounter. In fact, research shows that doing so contributes to our social and emotional well-being. So next time you grab a cup of coffee or see your neighbor on a walk, strike up a conversation.

All our tips up to this point are about actions you can take and things you can do to mitigate or manage loneliness. Remind yourself that as long as you stick to your program, you’re on the right track. What we suggest here is to pay attention to what’s happening in your community or neighborhood and join in whenever you see an announcement for a public event.

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Being alone can be an opportunity to participate in activities you enjoy, like reading, writing, meditating, or listening to music. Reach out to us today by filling out the contact form below with your name, contact information, and a brief message about your recovery journey. If your story is chosen, a member of our team will reach out to you. Coronavirus is serious, but if you struggle with addiction, overdose or alcohol poisoning are more likely to be lethal, and you should still go to rehab. You can also talk to a doctor about medications that can help you cope with the symptoms of withdrawal. Other ways to prepare include deciding what approach you plan to use to overcome your addiction and getting the resources that you need to be successful.

• Additionally, building and maintaining relationships with loved ones can be an effective way to cope with loneliness in addiction recovery.
• To add, other drugs like cocaine or meth can become a substance of choice to increase low moods, give someone energy, and produce euphoric feelings to combat depression.
• However, there are self-care practices that you can adopt to alleviate loneliness and stay on track with your recovery journey.
• Remind yourself that as long as you stick to your program, you’re on the right track.
• The best way to overcome feelings of isolation is to practice spending time by yourself while doing enjoyable activities.

Over time, alcohol and drug use become chronic, and addiction takes over. When this happens, you may continue to engage in worse behaviors, further affecting your physical, social and mental well-being. In turn, loneliness increases, and other negative behaviors flourish, causing you to sink deeper into addiction.

Reframe Loneliness

There are “libraries of things,” where you can mingle with neighbors to borrow camping equipment or a carpet cleaner or lend out your own gear. One of the paradoxes of humanity is that while we (along with other primates) evolved to be social creatures, wealth drives us toward solitude. The other organizer was the Glamour Club, founded five years ago to bring people together. In Brighton, more than 100 people nibbled on sandwiches and joined a singalong organized by two local charities.

Exercise and artistic activities, such as painting, dancing, or playing an instrument, have been shown to improve mood and be a great aid during therapy. They also provide opportunities to meet new people who share your interests and who you’ll have things in common with – an important factor for future friendships and relationships. This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice.

How to Cope with Loneliness in Mental Health Treatment

Once you have a sponsor, they should be the first number on speed dial in your phone – and you should use that number often. This is an important one for people in recovery, and often filled with its own set of challenges. If you spent a significant amount of time in active addiction, you may have caused harm in your primary relationships.

You may not look forward to spending time alone, and you may even feel self-conscious or anxious about it. The best way to overcome feelings of isolation is to practice spending time by yourself while doing enjoyable activities. There are plenty of activities a person can do alone to get more comfortable with their own thoughts, emotions, and company.