Isolation in recovery

Advice & Questions
1

Hey everyone I need advice on how to prevent isolation.

I already asked about it but I’m not sure why I still struggle with it.

I have days where I feel good and want to talk to others and I feel really grateful for those days. The next day though I might feel like isolating from everyone and everything. I feel like when I’m hurt or sad I tend to act like that and I start thinking every little things people did wrong to me as an excuse. I know that’s not okay and I hate thinking that because we’re all human and I make mistakes too. I just try not to think that way but the more I try to not think about those things that hurt me the more I end up thinking about it. I really want to change that’s why I’m on here asking for help. I feel like if I sort out this isolation issues it will for sure help my recovery as it will help me be more present in meetings and also more present for others and for myself. Often times too, I think it might be the shame of relapse or the shame of other things. I know I gotta keep going to those meetings because If I don’t then I’m just gonna die of addiction. It’s unfortunately a reality. I have hope though because I’m doing what I’m supposed to: asking for help while also persevering.

Also I think recent psychosis make things worse so it takes time to heal. It wasn’t that bad before.

I will go to a meeting despite feeling anxious tonight and will see my sponsor despite me feeling ashamed. That way I’m going out of my comfort zone and not isolating.

I’m tryna do the opposite of what this addiction disease tells me to do.

Thanks everyone in advance!

God bless

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2

would you consider these changes in your social life mood swings? Maybe you need to talk to a doc and see if you’re bipolar or something?

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3

it’s not easy topic. I only can speak for myself. Mostly I force myself to connect because afterwards I feel better but also sometimes I really need time of loneliness

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4

Yes I get that! I know there’s like a good type of isolation and a bad one but the one I’m doing isn’t good tbh.

I went to a meeting like I said I would and spoke to my sponsor in person which I haven’t done in over a month. Felt really amazing. Maybe I just need to be more consistent. Keep trying and persevering

thanks for reply

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5

@Ethann88 yes. take your time but the goal is perseverance. It’s like training your social skills. I am working them. I am not perfect but I don’t regret the effort

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6

No man… This is very normal. He is recovering his state of consciousness back to being a human with feelings. Not bipolar, every addict goes through this. Imagine having no dopamine in your head, it feels like theres a war outside and you just want to hide in a bubble. He’s experiencing a paralysis from dopamine depletion.

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7

Hey Ethan, I hope you’re doing okay friend.

Listen, what youre feeling and going through is actually very normal. I didnt talk to anyone for over a year, I was rude to people and then id have random occasions where id be friendly and loving and people were extremely receptive. You’re recovering, this is a blessing and youll see it if you hold strong.

You want your brain back, you want your feelings back - you’ll learn to regulate them soon.

Listen to your intuition and go outside, even for a few minutes - extend that to a hike or a nature walk. At that point your first step is done & you need to maintain. Find things that feel different, and understand your difference is your strength as a recovering addict.

It’s okay to feel, your feelings are all over the place because your brain needs to learn how to regulate emotions again. You probably have a crippling analysis paralysis right now, its normal.

The best thing to do is get up and go out then literally build off of your steps. Momentum will be your best friend and soon you’ll feel strong within yourself.

As you make it out, create routines then you’ll find discipline. Take the path that makes you happy, whatever you need to do to get yourself to this place - make sure you change your environment like even painting your room or getting different clothes. Change your music up and enjoy it, find things that slowly build your emotions back. Take your time, no need to rush and most importantly, love yourself.

Everyone knows the saying that idle time is the devil’s workshop and once you progress beyond this place, you’ll see that very clearly.

Working out/activity = rebuilds your receptors.

Going out = helps you reclaim your power.

Listening to music and making or enjoying art = expands your minds landscape.

Soon you’ll be excited about life again and these things won’t feel like a chore and life won’t feel so mundane. Don’t over criticize yourself, you’re on the way.

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8

I’m not a psychiatrist just my experience is some of us need outside help I definitely did

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9

I’m not sure, I don’t think I’m bipolar at all. I’ve had an evaluation in the past by a psychiatrist which of course I know things can change. I have family that is bipolar but I don’t think I am. Mood swings are normal in recovery though. As I know how drugs impact the brain’s chemistry. Maybe for now, just being grateful when I feel social and when not well just try not to mess up. I think it may also be due to me going in psychosis, it affected me a lot.

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What a wonderful posting. I took a lot of positives away from what you wrote, and realized you were “talking to me”. So thank you so very much.

My best, Len