Dealing With Emotions During Rehab Treatment

The Center for Disease Control reports that more tha
40,000 people die each year from substance abuse related deaths. According to the Federal Government’s Household Survey on Drug Abuse, there are approximately 12.7 million substance abusers in the U.S. and a half million will enter rehab treatment. Understandably, while you are in treatment you may experience an overabundance of emotions that will have to be addressed.

Emotional Overload

Most people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse or addiction experience emotional tension such as anger and depression. Once the dependency stops, the individual is besieged by the amount of emotions they feel and the little effort it takes to cause them including fear, doubt, and worry, a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem.

Individuals with substance abuse may be immune to the feelings of family and friends; however when they stop abusing drugs and alcohol, the emotions almost always rush in. While the emotions may be raw and overwhelming, learning to recognize what initiates them can help to control them and prevent them from taking over.

Recognizing and Validating Emotions

Recognizing what causes you to become emotional is an important step in maintaining control. The greater the ability to control the events that cause your emotions, the more likely you will be able to identify them and the reasons behind them.

Conversations you have with family or friends, something you see on TV, activities you participate in may all lead to an emotional state of being. Considering how you were affected by those things and how you felt at the time will help you be better prepared in the future to keep your emotions under control.

Learning to Cope

Learning to cope with emotions is part of the process. To help you develop coping skills it is a good idea to participate in activities that build up self-esteem, self-confidence, and that will empower you.

Surround Yourself with Support

Groups such as 12 step programs offer many benefits including a support system that helps members learn to deal with emotions. Attending meetings, going to counseling and therapy as well as interacting with family and friends that can help you cope with emotions.
Other types of support, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, promotes the idea that you are in control of your substance use and that by making different choices and developing more healthy habits and behaviors; you will discover that your emotions are not as erratic as they were during drug and alcohol abuse.