What To Know
- It’s designed to encourage individuals to take the lead in the recovery process and promotes a sense of empowerment.
- Of course, it’s a great mood booster and can be a healthy way to cope with stress and negative emotions.
The journey to alcohol recovery is not just about physical abstinence…
It’s equally about, mental fortitude, emotional resilience and overcoming negative patterns that become barriers towards long-term sobriety.
In this article, we explore various strategies and techniques for mastering your mindset in alcohol recovery, helping you to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.
Implementing positive thinking and mindfulness helps build a resilient framework that goes the distance in supporting long-term recovery.
Overcoming Negative Thoughts in Alcohol Recovery
You may not think it, but negative thoughts can act as major triggers in alcohol relapse.
Triggers that lead to drinking are often our worst enemy, because they prompt cravings, and significantly weaken our defenses against quitting alcohol.
Common triggers alone can prompt negative thought patterns, so when looking to overcome these situations, identifying triggers is the first important step.
Secondly, we must counter those negative thoughts. Replace them with positive affirmations to displace negative thought patterns. Some simple techniques include practising gratitude through a daily journal habit, or surrounding yourself in activities that promote positivity, such as regular exercise.
Read more on How to Cultivate a Positive Attitude for Lasting Sobriety.
Alcohol Recovery and Building Cognitive Resilience
Regular mindset practice that promotes positivity becomes a shield against the challenges of recovery.
This practice essentially becomes a daily habit, and establishing good habits like this also becomes extremely important in quitting alcohol (more on this here).
Engaging in activities that strengthen mental resilience, such as daily exercise, hobbies or practically anything that challenges the mind positively, is also crucial.
Cognitive Therapy for Alcohol Recovery
In certain circumstances, utilising some science-driven cognitive approaches can be extremely beneficial in preventing relapse.
Some examples include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is designed to help individuals recognise detrimental thinking patterns, which can be a root cause of addictive behaviour. It can help teach you problem-solving skills, stress management and better coping skills.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT combines the practice of CBT, with concepts of mindfulness, acceptance and emotional regulation. DBT essentially helps us manage stress better, a key trigger for many in alcohol relapse.
- Motivational Interviewing: A form of counselling approach that facilitates and explores the pros and cons of behaviour. It’s designed to encourage individuals to take the lead in the recovery process and promotes a sense of empowerment.
Frequently Asked Questions on Alcohol Recovery
How can I deal with cravings?
Understanding cravings is always a good starting point. Read this article on understanding the fundamentals of why we crave, then read these 10 simple tips to keep in mind when they get tough. Supplements such as Glutamine or NAC can also help in managing alcohol cravings.
What role does diet play in alcohol recovery?
A balanced diet is absolutely essential in alcohol recovery. It can improve mood and energy levels, and actually increase your resilience to relapse. Learn more on nutrients in alcohol recovery here.
How important are support groups in recovery?
Very important. They provide a sense of community, understanding, and shared experiences, and keep you accountable (which is extremely important!).
Can exercise help in alcohol recovery?
Of course, it’s a great mood booster and can be a healthy way to cope with stress and negative emotions. Read more here on why it helps, and also why more isn’t better.
The Takeaway
Mastering your mindset in alcohol recovery is a dynamic and ongoing process. By embracing positive thinking, engaging in cognitive strategies, and practising mindfulness, you can build a strong foundation for long-term sobriety. Remember, every step forward is a step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life free from alcohol.
If you have any feedback regarding this article, reach out. Help Clarity reach more people and quit addiction by following us on Instagram, it’s also the perfect place to message us and ask questions!
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Former drinker, Nutritionist, Biohacking enthusiast, self-experimenter, research fanatic, and self-taught writer, Stephen immerses himself deep into the literature of human optimisation and better understand the nature of addiction. His goal is to help people take control of their addiction, reset their cravings, unscramble their broken brain circuitry and use actionable strategies that work ten times better than anything else.