Millions of people are struggling with addiction. For people recovering from addictions and those just contemplating seeking professional help, sobriety is typically the foremost goal. Everyone in recovery hopes to attain and maintain sobriety, which usually means complete drug and alcohol abstinence. Unfortunately, some people with addictions focus too much on this singular goal and forget about emotional sobriety, which enables one to live a substance abuse-free life that is productive and satisfying.
What Is Emotional Sobriety?
Emotional sobriety is a term that describes the more complex transformation a recovering addict makes beyond attaining physical sobriety. Physical sobriety refers to giving up drugs and alcohol, a highly challenging yet fairly straightforward pursuit. Achieving emotional sobriety is more complex because it involves the ability to feel and cope with emotions, particularly those attached to drug and alcohol use.
As a defense mechanism, every human being is susceptible to an unconscious drive to protect themselves from painful realities. The difference between the general population and addicts is that addicts are very good at ignoring their feelings by masking them with drugs or alcohol. Being emotionally sober means getting in touch with your emotions, whether positive or negative, and allowing yourself to feel them.
The Importance of Emotional Sobriety
The importance of working toward and achieving emotional sobriety cannot be overstated. Initially, addicts in recovery may feel that detoxing is the most difficult step in getting clean. However, avoiding temptations and refusing to give in to cravings is an arduous, lifelong battle. There may be the temptation to use spiritual bypass — though this is actually a barrier because it acts as a crutch between a person and their emotions. The concept involves an individual wearing a “mask” or embracing a false spiritual self that represses aspects of their true self. Instead of bolstering humility, spiritual bypass reinforces defense mechanisms, thereby encouraging avoidance instead of acceptance.
Achieving Emotional Sobriety
Emotional sobriety should be an integral part of all addiction treatment plans. Some therapists and/or rehab facilities may refer to this as emotional rehab or another term. Regardless of the term used, it is key to work toward this goal in therapy. Emotional treatment centers focus on helping clients be present in the moment, whatever that looks like – good or bad. Most people in recovery want the ability to access all of their feelings. Being fully cognizant of reality enables choices, and it is choices that propel people toward finding their authentic self and achieving a fulfilling sober life.
Emotional sobriety means something a little different to every person in recovery, however, it generally comes down to:
- Maintaining a healthy emotional balance.
- Accepting reality as it is today, in the moment.
- Not dwelling on past regrets or future wishes.
Achieving this involves learning how to leverage proper mechanisms and proven therapies to deal with emotions in a healthy way. There are many therapeutic approaches in addiction treatment that can help, such as:
- Congnitive behavioral therapy
- Somatic therapies
- Yoga
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
If you achieve physical sobriety but never work on taking control of your emotions, it is likely that you will relapse. Coming to terms with the fact that addiction recovery is a lifelong process can help put things in perspective. Although there may be a step backward now and then, stick to the goal of living in the present and being in control of your emotions. Give yourself permission to experience all of your feelings without surgical precision. It is human nature to feel disparate emotions simultaneously. However, be aware that major ups and downs could signal a co-occurring mental health issue such as bipolar disorder.
If you have been through rehab, are contemplating rehab or are struggling with daily temptations after recovery, seek professional help as soon as possible.