Many recovering addicts struggle with identifying their emotions. By the time an addict enters recovery, emotions have been squashed, ignored, and stuffed. Why? Because for most addicts, emotions are one of the reasons why they began using in the first place - feeling emotions hurt. It's uncomfortable. And if I can find a way to circumnavigate the law of opposition, I will. I don't want to taste the bitter that I might know the sweet. I don't want to feel sadness so that I might know happiness. I just want the happiness and sweet all the time!
Remember that recovery from addiction - any addiction - is a spiritual process. Reconnecting to our emotional states is a neccessary step to take. How can I work through the process of repentance if I can't feel my emotions?
A common response to this discussion is for the addict to say - "I don't know what I feel any more." The following is a cheat sheet to help you discover what you might be feeling. By identifying your behavior, simply follow the chart and it will lead you to your emotion. This will help you start to connect to your feelings.
State of Emotional
Behaviors Being Denial
Resentments, People Pleasing disconnectedness Anger
Risk Taking impulsiveness Fear
Lack of Empathy for Self numbness Pain/Sadness
Lack of Taking Ownership for Life self-pity Joy/Gratitude
Isolation OR Thrill Seeking boredom Passion
Isolation OR Dependency loneliness Love
Judging, Critical, Fault Finding perfectionism Guilt, Vulnerability
Arrogant, Self Serving grandiose Shame
Yes.It's true, emotions are the one that starts them to go on addiction, that is why when acquiring recovery companion services, dealing with patient's emotion is an important part.
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