Back to Blog Posts
The journey through recovery is a difficult one. It can be hard to identify all of the stressors that someone may experience and continuously be vigilant in recognizing risky situations and behaviors that may compromise one’s sobriety. However, sobriety isn’t the only goal in recovery. Depending on the goals someone sets for themselves, their recovery will look much different from others around them. Recovery is the gateway to accepting one’s identity and self-worth, and programs are in place to help someone cope with the daily stresses so each person can chase their long-term goals in self-actualization.
Defining Sobriety
Defining sobriety will be different for each person. Sobriety can be thought of in terms of the chemical presence of harmful drugs or alcohol in one’s body. This kind of sobriety is often addressed during the detox phase of recovery. It involves giving the body time to break down and process all of the harmful chemicals it had ingested, allowing it to start the healing process. However, sobriety can also mean something more profound as someone moves through their recovery process.
Sobriety is also about maintaining a healthy state of living, and this definition extends far beyond the use of any addictive substance or behavior. It involves taking control of one’s emotional state, coping mechanisms, and overall lifestyle in a way that is conducive to their goals in their personal and professional lives. Recovery can be put into terms that help someone continue to promote one’s growth personally, whether they are searching for belonging in communities or pursuing their dress in life. While remaining abstinent from addictive substances and behaviors is part of the recovery process, finding what sobriety means to each person is a journey to self-acceptance and self-actualization.
What is Self-Acceptance?
Self-acceptance is a profound step in the recovery process. It is the process by which someone can look at their past mistakes and use them to create a plan for going forward. It can mean coming to terms with the fact that someone has changed and that it is for the better. Not only is it accepting accountability for one’s actions, but it is also the ability to look towards the future and allow oneself to express themselves in a way that is important to each person. It is dressing how someone wants to dress and engaging with important activities on an individual level. Self-acceptance helps people chase their goals in life without engaging with an addictive substance or behavior.
Looking back on one’s past mistakes is challenging and emotional, but learning how someone can prepare for the future is also necessary. Looking back can help form goals and provide a metric to measure one’s recovery progression. Accepting one’s past, and using it to shape one’s future, are critical components of learning to accept oneself and their identity.
Bridging the Gap
Seeing the transformation from sobriety to self-acceptance and self-actualization involves seeing the cessation of drugs or alcohol as the key that unlocks the potential for the next step of one’s life. The ending of drinking is essential for health and plays a crucial role in advancing further in professional careers. Recovery isn’t just about stopping a destructive behavior but starting a new, healthy lifestyle.
Bridging the gap between sobriety and self-acceptance also means using one’s therapeutic practices to continue developing their identity. Using different therapeutic elements, such as meditation, yoga, or even sports like baseball or boxing, are all most effective when they hold personal value to the one practicing them. These elements become ingratiated as part of one’s identity. They have the power to help someone get through stressful times and provide the structure through one’s day and a sense of identity tied to their practice. Accepting these elements of one’s life and how they can help someone achieve more meaningful goals is the first step to bridge the gap from reaching for sobriety to reaching self-acceptance and beyond. It is a transformational practice where someone finds what they enjoy in life and then allows themselves to engage without fear of stigma to pursue their happiness and take control of the direction of their future.
Sobriety and self-acceptance are equal and essential parts of recovery. Recovery is about stopping the use of addictive substances or habits and creating a healthy, happy lifestyle. Learning from mistakes, though challenging and emotional, can help you reach self-acceptance. Creating and maintaining coping strategies to aid in your recovery and journey to self-acceptance is essential. If you or a loved one are struggling on your path through sobriety or are ready to bridge the gap between sobriety and self-acceptance, START UP RECOVERY can help you today. Professionals, mentors, and peers can all help you find your definition of sobriety and self-acceptance and help you develop a plan for accentuating the strengths in your identity. The sense of community that is championed during your stay with us can help each person confront their vulnerabilities while being backed by a robust schedule of practical therapeutic approaches each day. The luxurious atmosphere can help you feel comfortable both in your learning and in sharing your strengths and experience through recovery. For more information on how we can develop a program for you or talk to a caring individual about your unique situation, call us today at (310) 773-3809.