Life after addiction can be a discovery. In this journey to discover oneself, you may come across this certain void that once was filled with addiction, for which you went to drug and alcohol rehab - but now, is empty. When there’s a massive void placed in the midst of one’s life, it can automatically garner levels of low self-esteem, and other such bad feelings. How then do you get rid of that newfound void?
Here’s how!
- Remember that your past doesn’t govern you - Past is a thought of distant memory that will not repeat itself. It’s already passed back in memory lane. Regardless of what convoluted the mind to start the course in alcohol and drug addiction, it is no longer the reality of the situation. Trying to fill a void in your life might have cost you in the past with this addiction, but remember that it’s no longer the current situation of your present and try to move ahead.
- Mourn - As trivial as this word and process may sound, it is quite important to go through this process of mourning the loss of past addiction. The addiction has been a part of the past of every addict for a while. It was one’s best resolve to handling matters that required extra courage to do. Giving up that habit took a lot of strength and will power; it also meant leaving behind certain friend groups and avoiding meeting up at certain places for hangouts. These friends and places might be a trigger for reactivating those old habits, so best to take the time to mourn the loss of things that you’ve set aside. Recognize the loss of these habits and ways and then begin the journey towards replacing these losses with other habits that can help one to get by day-by-day - addiction-free!
- Boredom - One of the greatest triggers of mankind when it comes to old addictive habits is - Boredom. There’s a saying that goes, an empty mind is a devil’s workshop. That saying is laden with truth. Boredom can be especially dangerous for an addict or a recovering addict. It gives one the luxury of thought, to let the mind wader and fall back into old habits. Boredom can trigger a relapse in ways. In such a condition, a recovering addict has to remember to keep themselves busy all day, every day with activities that interest them and also fill up their days with tasks to focus on rather than slip back into old ways.
These are the few ways a recovering addict can help fill the void that drove them towards drug and alcohol addiction. Recognizing the need to fill the void and working towards doing exactly that can help loads of addicts.
