The Role of Gratitude in Recovery

When a person has been through addiction, hit rock bottom, found the strength to seek help, and has overcome the addiction and can start to rebuild their life, they often feel a great deal of gratitude. That feeling of gratitude can be very healing, and while it’s important that the recovering addict recognize the people who stuck by them through the rough times and who have helped them on the road to recovery, it’s also important they recognize the ability to be grateful to themselves: to their strength, to their humility, to their ability to make it through treatment.

 

Benefits of Gratitude

Multiple studies have shown that living life with gratitude is good for you. People who are grateful tend to have more clarity and feel more in control of their lives. They also tend to be more optimistic and capable of coping with challenges. Feeling grateful can also reduce stress levels, one of the triggers that often cause an addict to fall out of recovery.

 

How to Develop an Attitude of Gratitude

Feeling grateful is a habit that you can develop. For the addict in recovery, you may simply be grateful to still be alive. As you rebuild your life and rebuild your trust in people, one way you can learn to appreciate your life is to keep a gratitude journal. Every day at the end of the day, write down what you were grateful for that day. It may be something simple, like seeing the sunrise; it may be something much more profound, like reconnecting with a family member. Read back through your journal regularly to recognize how far you have come on your journey.

 

Learn to Appreciate Simple Moments

The life of an addict is one of frantic desperation. As you heal and move through recovery, be fully aware of the peace around you. Be grateful for the quiet, the warmth, the community, the support. Tell people thank you for the small kindnesses they extend to you and be sure to pass along those kindnesses in your treatment of others.

 

We are dedicated to helping you overcome drug and alcohol addictions and reach full, lasting recovery. If you are struggling with addiction, or if you have a friend, family member, or other loved one with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, please call us. We invite you to contact us today to learn more about drug and alcohol rehab in Heber City, Utah, and to speak with a member of our experienced, caring team. We are eager to help you regain control of your life!