Be mindful to limit exposure to negative content and focus on connecting with positive and supportive individuals. Finding interests outside of substance use can help you deal with issues of loneliness in more than one way. From reading groups or clubs to sports and exercise, new hobbies give you access to new communities and help build relationships with new people. This helps fight loneliness and gives you different things to learn and focus on that aren’t feelings of isolation. These solid connections help you combat loneliness and give you a new community.

Incorporating Healthy Lifestyle Choices

It is essential to rid yourself of old friends who are still using drugs or drinking and form healthy relationships with new people during your recovery. Recovery programs tell their clients to change their people, places, and things. You can make friends in rehab or support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. When you make the decision to get clean and sober, you are making a decision that will change your life forever.

Exploring the Benefits of Substance Use Counseling

Making connections with other people in recovery will ultimately support you in maintaining your sobriety. They will not only have some common problems and emotions that you may be dealing with, but they are less likely to try to get you to relapse. Sometimes, you may feel lonely in your recovery because you cannot attend parties or even restaurants if these places are triggers for you. In this blog, you will learn why loneliness in early recovery occurs, and you will discover ways to combat it.

When I was out there drinking, over the years, I began to drift further and further away from reality as my alcoholism progressed. This tore apart the relationships with my wife and kids, co-workers, and long-time friends – anyone who loved or cared about me at all. The only time I was able to get out of my head was when I was good-n-drunk.

Loneliness reduces your opportunities to learn or practice these skills, leaving you more vulnerable when dealing with triggers. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use disorder, healing is possible. The best place to begin the journey to rehabilitation is at Holdfast Recovery. Our mission is to deliver high-quality treatment that emphasizes clinical excellence, physical wellness, and most importantly Christian values.

The Connection Between OCD and Addiction

Engagement in group activities or projects can also yield a sense of purpose while offering avenues for social interaction. By immersing oneself in recovery communities, individuals can reduce feelings of isolation and foster a supportive network that contributes to their journey of healing. With the social distancing involved with the COVID-19 pandemic, people feel increasingly lonely. Addiction everywhere is on the rise because of job loss, losing loved ones, and not spending time with others as often.

Having people who understand exactly what you’re going through that you can lean on can help you to feel more at peace with your situation and less likely to relapse. Similar to many other studies, we found evidence for effects of both loneliness and social isolation on a large number of outcomes. Those who were more lonely were about 40 percent more likely to die over the next four years, while those who were socially isolated were about 75 percent more likely to die. Relationships are given and taken, but that also makes them active and connected. If you’re taking the time to listen to others and reach out to others when they need it, you’re also connecting, which helps remove the emotional detachment of being lonely. Giving support and receiving support is another way to deal positively with loneliness.

Managing Feelings of Loneliness in Recovery

Recognizing the impact of loneliness is the first step in addressing it. By understanding its roots, individuals can take proactive steps to foster connection and build a supportive network. Recovery may feel lonely because you must distance yourself from old social circles or activities revolving around substance use. Abandoning once-central relationships and pastimes may create a void leading to loneliness. For loneliness, one of the more effective interventions is cognitive behavioral therapy.

• In this guide, we explore various strategies to address loneliness, ensuring that the path to recovery is not walked alone.
• Most of those who struggle with addiction surround themselves with other people with addiction.
• Sometimes it feels like you’ve lost your best friend — your companion substance that has been there for you through recent days.
• Addiction recovery is a difficult journey, and sometimes it can also feel like a very lonely one.
• Another significant aspect of the AA or NA support groups is that the 12th step focuses on giving back and fellowship.
• You are not alone—help is always available, and brighter days are ahead.

Another interesting thing we found is that, while both loneliness and social isolation had important impacts on health and well-being, which of them was more prominent varied by the outcome. Social isolation is relevant for those as well, but the effects were smaller than for loneliness. Being socially isolated carries much greater physical health risks but loneliness has a larger impact on mental-health-related conditions.

Addiction Can Lead to Isolation

Most importantly, you must leave behind the relationships that are toxic and can lead to relapse. At New Method Wellness, we want to support our clients through every aspect of addiction recovery. That’s why our addiction therapy programs span a wide range of methods and approaches. Whether you’re struggling to overcome loneliness in addiction recovery or anything else, our center is here for you. When I started my journey of recovery from alcoholism, I was determined to stay on a positive life path despite not knowing how to cope with loneliness in recovery.

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Morgan is freelance mental health and creative writer who regularly contributes to publications including, Psychology Today. This concern may make you hesitate to attend social gatherings, especially if they involve triggers or temptations. This fear, coupled with active avoidance of social contexts, can enhance your existing loneliness. This is a group of older adults, and living alone and being isolated is perhaps especially dangerous for them given the higher likelihood of health troubles. Change the perspective that solitude and being lonely are https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ the same thing.

• By finding ways to reconnect with the world, you can maintain sobriety and build a more fulfilling life.
• Having strong attachments with people helps defeat the attachment to drugs and alcohol.
• It was a cycle of pain that bred feelings of isolation for years, although I desperately longed for the type of community that I have since found in recovery.
• Discover the inpatient detox process, from withdrawal management to personalized care for lasting recovery.
• So, rather than facing feelings of loneliness and reaching out for help, a person may turn to the comfort of drugs or alcohol to combat these issues.
• This fear, coupled with active avoidance of social contexts, can enhance your existing loneliness.

Feelings of Loneliness Can Make You Feel Hopeless in Addiction

As people distance themselves from behaviors and social circles that were tethered to their substance use, they often face feelings of isolation. This stage requires understanding, acceptance, and proactive effort to build sober house new connections and life structures. In this guide, we explore various strategies to address loneliness, ensuring that the path to recovery is not walked alone. These feelings can lead to depression, anxiety, and potentially relapse.