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Recovery is a dynamic process, and no single strategy will work for all situations or all people. Through each person’s recovery journey, many different coping mechanisms can be learned and implemented into daily life, either as a routine therapeutic practice or a grounding strategy for dealing with stressors. However, as someone goes through changes in their lives, they may find that their coping strategies are less effective than they used to be. Discovering why specific strategies that once worked may be losing their effectiveness or how someone can create a new plan can both aid in someone’s continued sobriety and mental state.
Take a Step Back
Someone may realize that their coping strategies are not helping them process stressors as well as they’d like. When this happens, it is crucial to step back from the situation to avoid resorting to possibly unhealthy instincts. Suppose someone is dealing with potential setbacks due to the limited effectiveness of their coping strategies. In that case, it can be essential to find a way to clear one’s head and look objectively at the situation. Taking a breath and contacting supports can be the first step in regaining control over one’s emotional state. If one’s coping strategies weren’t able to help prevent them from re-engaging with potentially destructive behavior, it doesn’t mean that someone’s recovery has been compromised. When coping mechanisms seem less effective, breathing and taking time may help restore one’s emotional state.
Break Down the Situation
Looking back at stressful events and objectively breaking them down can be crucial to addressing coping mechanisms that are no longer effective. One must address what coping strategies did work to help them realize what may no longer be working and what made the situation stressful.
Even if someone cannot gain control over a situation, it does not mean that they failed to cope. Looking at the different aspects of an experience can help someone further focus on what techniques are best for them. Some examples of partially-effective coping may include:
- Someone finds their anxieties spiking in a particular situation but manages to avoid a panic attack. There is still an effective coping strategy at use.
- Someone could ground themselves in reality by acknowledging physical objects around them but was unable to regulate their breathing during times of high anxiety. There may be more coping strategies to learn to control breathing in future situations.
- Someone may have successfully been able to turn down an offer of drugs but found themselves drinking a beer as a result of stress due to the situation. This may indicate that someone has internalized how to say “no,” but may want future coping strategies to avoid drinking in the future.
What Was Different?
There can be several new situations experiences in recovery. Someone may have an abundance of coping techniques. However, they may be less applicable as daylight becomes more scarce, temperatures drop, or the coronavirus’s effects continue to impede daily life. Identifying differences in a situation may mean looking at new people involved or new environments where one may feel uncomfortable. Recognizing these differences can help someone further focus their developing coping strategies. Someone’s coping strategies may still be useful but may need to be expanded to help with newer situations.
Connect with Support and Be Open
Reconnecting with support systems about an experience can help provide a new perspective. Peers may be able to share their anecdotes of similar situations and provide insight on their coping strategies. A professional may be able to continue to help break down the various aspects at play as someone creates a new plan. When developing these new strategies, keeping one’s story honest and focused can help create a specialized practice that is effective. Coping strategies aren’t always going to be all-encompassing. Instead, having a consistently growing outlook of coping strategies and grounding techniques can provide someone with a vast array of options to help them deal with changing scenarios.
Recovery can be difficult. There are always new approaches that someone can take to continue their recovery journey. Coping strategies are ever-changing and may need to be adjusted as someone encounters unique stressors. Breaking down the situation, looking at what was different, and speaking to a support system may help you evolve your coping strategies. If you or a loved one struggles with an addiction or behavioral issue and are ready to take your first step towards recovery, START UP RECOVERY can help you today. Your time with us can be personalized to help fit your needs and goals in recovery. Each person’s plan can introduce its therapeutic approaches to best impact each individual. The community’s supportive atmosphere helps each person feel welcomed while also pushing each other to learn new skills every day. For more information on how we can personalize your stay with us, or talk to a caring, trained staff member about your situation, call us today at (310) 773-3809.