As you navigate down the road to recovery, you may begin to start having positive thoughts along with feelings of success. You may be thinking, “I haven’t engaged in substance use in such a long time, this is great!” However, as you continue this journey, there may be times when you experience feelings of isolation or loneliness. Learning how to handle these feelings can help you stay on track, allowing for continued progress and success on your journey.
It is important to remember that loneliness and isolation are common feelings that we all experience from time to time. However, it is how we handle these feelings that matter most. Let’s explore the steps you can take to combat these feelings.
Engage in Activities and Start a Hobby
Keeping busy is an important way to overcome feelings of isolation. Starting a new hobby, such as learning how to play a musical instrument, can allow you to feel productive. Using this example of playing a musical instrument, there are so many ways to get started. Online lessons and tips can be found for free on YouTube. By engaging in a new hobby, you will feel a sense of purpose and excitement that will eventually cause the feelings of isolation to lessen.
You can also consider engaging in activities that involve socializing with others. There are so many meet-up groups online for all different types of activities. You can find a group that takes trips, goes on walks, or even a group dedicated to trying new restaurants.
Talking to People Matters
If you are feeling lonely and isolated, it is important to make sure that you continue to talk to others. This can range from seeing friends and family, to simply talking to co-workers during the day at the office. Making an effort to be social will allow you to feel like you belong. You will begin to realize that you are not alone, and that you have a purpose. With technology, you can even FaceTime and video call friends and relatives that you may not be able to see in person.
Daily Routine is Key
Setting a daily routine is key for combating feelings of isolation. For example, you can start each morning with 30 minutes of mild exercise, such as going for a walk. At night before bed, you can take 5 minutes to reflect on your recovery journey, allowing you to tell yourself, “Look how far I’ve come!” Setting up a daily routine gives you something to look forward to each day. For example, you will begin to look forward to that nighttime routine of celebrating your accomplishments. It’s certainly a great way to end the day. Other examples of a positive daily routine include making an effort to talk to at least 5 people per day. This ensures that you are not isolating yourself, and that you are continuing to remain social.
Victory Recovery Partners, a network of eight addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, provides outpatient services that include medication-assisted treatment, psychiatric, wellness, and behavioral health services. By providing total care under one roof, we ensure that every patient is getting the best care possible, and that no one is left behind. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and substance use, we would like to help. To learn more about Victory, please visit our website.