One key to sobriety that is not focused on enough is energy.
Everything about the initial period of sobriety tends toward low energy activity.
You are usually coming off withdrawal which makes your body weak and anxious, which leads to low energy.
You are generally depressed about your current situation, which leads to low energy.
Your self-confidence has been significantly damaged, which leads to low energy.
You are forced to face the chaos that you have left behind you, which is highly stressful, which leads to low energy.
I can go on and on.
The activities of early sobriety nearly all lead to low energy.
And yet, the challenge that we are facing, to stay sober, to rebuild our lives requires a tremendous amount of energy.
The quickest way that I have found out of depression is to increase my energy.
So, how do you find a way to increase your energy in early sobriety?
There are plenty of ways available, and this is mostly found through rehabilitation practices and ‘anonymous’ meetings. Creating a new social framework.
But the quickest way that I found to increase my energy in early sobriety is with anger.
I don’t imagine that many therapists or sponsors would agree with this approach, but what I am suggesting is that you find a way to channel your anger.
Just because you are an addict does not mean that you do not have the mental ability to channel your anger. In fact, during this time you are making so many dramatic changes, this may be one of the easier ones to make.
It’s okay to be angry that you are an addict, it’s okay to be angry that you are in this current situation, it’s okay to be angry that you cannot touch another drug again in your life, it’s okay to be angry about your trauma.
You just have to find a way to channel this anger into something good, something productive.
I have found that a heightened state of energy is far more productive than trying to find motivation.
During the days that I am at my lowest, that I am overwhelmed, I allow myself to find this anger. I don’t need to dive into the why or who or how of my anger, I simply need to feel it, and it gets me moving, quickly.
If you’re in early recovery, I would not recommend doing this alone, but I would embrace your anger, it will help you have the stamina to undertake the great challenge you are about to face.
