Drug rehab centers play a crucial role in helping recovering addicts overcome their dependencies. Additionally, those employed inside such facilities often teach their patients several important lessons. Such instruction may include how to recapture the happiness they once enjoyed.
The Reasons Recovering Addicts Are Likely Not Happy
In an appreciable percentage of cases, dependents grew hooked on one or more chemicals too mask some degree of unhappiness.
Such negative feelings might have been precipitated by untoward occurrences or even tragic events like:
- Physical abuse
- Mental torment
- Emotional upheaval
- Sexual abuse
- Death of a loved one
- Divorce or other painful breakup
- Physical pain
- Guilt
In other instances, the dejection leading to substance abuse results from depression. This mental health disorder is typically caused by an imbalance in the stricken subject’s brain chemistry. These inequities often yield symptoms, such as extreme sadness, helplessness and hopelessness.
On other occasions, drug use itself results in despondency. Many substances alter the brain’s chemistry. Numerous illicit chemicals stimulate systemic production of feel-good hormones resulting in the short-term high users experience.
However, as the body and mind become more addicted, prodigious amounts of said substances are needed to maintain those positive feelings. Moreover, as dependency grows, highs last for shorter and shorter periods.
The Specific Ways Rehab Center Staffers Can Instill Happiness Again
Many addiction treatment professionals maintain that happiness is a key facet of recovery. Therefore, such specialists often strive to tailor treatment programs geared towards improving a healing soul’s mental and emotional well-being.
Happiness can be achieved through several aims including:
Identifying The Addiction’s Root Cause
Very few people continually use drugs simply for the purpose of getting high. While improving their mental and emotional states might be peripheral reasons, a serious underlying problem is usually at the core.
Most persons have heard versions of the expression dictating that one cannot truly solve a problem until they have a firm grasp on its exact cause. To truly regain their happiness, a recovering addict must pinpoint the tumult-inducing issues they faced that ultimately drove them towards chemical dependency.
Failing to achieve this goal often precipitates relapse or participation in other destructive behavior geared towards bandaging the problem once again.
Discovering What Happiness Is
One complicating factor is that there is no set definition of happiness. Many mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors, and laymen alike opine that happiness is a state of mind. Moreover, many of these same individuals further maintain that happiness is ultimately a choice. People can choose to be happy or unhappy.
Ergo, happiness is often strictly in the eyes of the beholder. The improving subject must therefore decide what makes them happy and strive to incorporate those things into their lives. Specific examples may include:
Close Relationships
Numerous persons find comfort and great solace in close associations like family members, good friends, and trusted associates.
Such kinship often proves vital to the recovery process. First, such subjects are persons the healing individual enjoys spending time with. Moreover, these persons usually have the recovering addict’s best interests at heart and could play an important part in preventing relapse and other unpleasant events.
Physical Activity
A discernible number of people are truly happy during exercise sessions. Medical and mental health professionals agree that physical activity often yields certain notable health-boosting benefits.
On one hand, said actions strengthen the body’s bones, muscles, and soft tissues and helps said structure maintain a healthy weight. Such attributes prove critical to improving the recovering addict’s physical health and longevity.
Furthermore, exercise heightens bodily production and secretion of chemicals called endorphins. These substances create a natural high and are known for their capacity to improve one’s mood and feeling of well-being.
Focusing On Healthy Habits
Those in recovery might find happiness in focusing on establishing healthy habits. Few endeavors improve one’s physical and mental states more than consuming a nutritious, balanced diet, remaining properly hydrated, and obtaining enough sleep.
Partaking In A Relaxing Hobby
Participation in a relaxing or enjoyable hobby often increases a recovering soul’s levels of happiness and excitement. Specific undertakings will vary from person to person depending upon individual tastes. However, common endeavors include:
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Reading
- Engaging in mind-stimulating games
Any activity is suitable. The only concern recovering addicts should have is that the activities are productive and fun.
Contact Us
Our southern New Jersey facility understands the importance of happiness and places a great emphasis on helping our patients recapture this important feeling.
Those currently struggling with dependency are urged to reach out to us. Our highly-trained team of addiction specialists have helped individuals from across the northeastern and mid-Atlantic region conquer their demons.
Persons who are ready to take this crucial step are urged to contact us at 833-610-1174 as soon as possible.