Early in our sobriety, there will be moment when we feel down in the dumps and don’t want to do anything. Lethargy, depression, and anxiety can all be symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, and can keep us from feeling motivated. Many of these symptoms can be manageable, but it’s important to find a sense of motivation to help us get through each day without feeling the need to rely on drugs or alcohol. Feeling moments of depression and lethargy are normal in early sobriety. We have already been through so much to achieve sobriety and are still in the process of healing from the damaging effects of our addiction. If these feelings become chronic or get worse, we may find it helpful to speak to a professional who can help us find ways of managing our depression and lethargy. However, we may find that our lack of motivation simply comes from us feeling as though we do not have a purpose in life. Our only purpose before achieving sobriety was to continuously feed our addiction, and now we are in a position where we need to find a healthy alternative. For this reason, 12 Step fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous suggest that we engage in service work and helping others. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains that when we begin working with others, “Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends—this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot in our lives.” When we find this “bright spot,” we suddenly feel a sense of purpose and being to feel motivated each day to do what we can to engage in our recovery program. Inspirational books, movies, and music can help us feel motivated for a moment, but if we are to continuously feel a sense of purpose and motivation, there is no better way than to get involved in recovery and help others.
Your story can be one of hope, faith, and courage in recovery. You can make the choice to seek help now and begin building a better life for yourself and your loved ones. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in Orange County, California, gives clients the opportunity to develop all the skills necessary to achieve sobriety in a beautiful beachfront environment. For more information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
