Does an Attitude of Gratitude Affect Recovery?

Even if you’re struggling through an exceptionally difficult life circumstance, there is always something to be thankful for. Research confirms what those in recovery have long known – gratitude leads to a greater sense of well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction1. It is easy to understand why these traits would be important in long-term recovery. While the benefits of gratitude are clear, learning how to cultivate and practice gratitude can be tricky, especially early in recovery. When someone is in recovery, whether it be from addiction, mental health challenges, or any other form of struggle, it can be easy to focus on the negatives, the hardships, and the setbacks.

• While the benefits of gratitude are clear, learning how to cultivate and practice gratitude can be tricky, especially early in recovery.
• Addiction can rule a person’s life, as getting and using the drug or drink of choice can dictates actions large and small.
• Many times people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) can quickly go down this path of negative thinking.

He was one of the first hernia doctors in the country to develop and perform surgical techniques in laparoscopy and has been teaching laparoscopic techniques to other surgeons for decades. Dr. Reiner has personally performed over 2500 laparoscopic hernia repairs in his career, making him one of the most experienced surgeons in his field worldwide. While in the throes of active addiction, the ability to experience gratitude may be diminished.

Gratitude Can Help You Alleviate Self-Blame

Practicing gratitude is all about being grateful and thankful for what you have. When you focus on all the things you don’t have, it creates an attitude of ungratefulness and fosters negative emotions like jealousy and anger. Negativity can be detrimental to your recovery and make a life in sobriety seem dark, empty, and lonely. Taking gratitude and recovery time to focus on gratitude, especially during the holidays, allows us to be present, content, and feel more positive emotion. Just being grateful for the gift of recovery is a great place to start your gratitude practice. Fall is a season of change and transition, making it the perfect time to practice gratitude during recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or co-occurring disorders, call the New England Recovery Center today at MyRehab. Throughout each day, be mindful of your interactions and observations of others. Be mindful of sharing your gratitude for others as they cross your path or as you observe good deeds on behalf of strangers. Be generous in sharing and showing your appreciation for their actions and efforts as you go about your day. Gratitude opens the door to positive emotions and experiences that can nourish our minds and bodies. Simply taking a moment to count our blessings can lift our spirits and remind us of all that we have to appreciate in life.

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And while it may not come easily at first, just like negative thinking is a habit for some, being grateful can become a habit too. Helping others goes hand in hand with gratitude to promote a positive outlook. Volunteer your time, or join a support group to share your experiences with addiction and help others in similar circumstances find their way to recovery. Mistakes can and do happen – sobriety slips, resolutions are broken. When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, getting and using them becomes a priority –and recovery should be a priority as well. The steps of your recovery plan should be at the top of your list – consistently.

If you’re struggling with sobriety and want to break free from addiction’s hold so you can reclaim your life, there is help. At Gateway in Chicago, Illinois, we want to support you so you can find a life of gratitude and sobriety. Our evidence-based treatment programs focus on addressing your individual needs. For anyone who is in recovery, these thoughts can be detrimental. Many times people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) can quickly go down this path of negative thinking. And, for those in recovery, this can lead to the development of resentments.

Make Gratitude a Daily Practice

Keep it simple or more profound, but make sure to start each morning in thankfulness and set the tone for the day. What about those deep in feelings of guilt, shame, helplessness? The good news is that gratitude is a mental outlook that can be developed and strengthened over time. The great news is that the benefits occur almost immediately with significant impact on your recovery success and overall well-being. If you’re having difficulty staying clean or battling cravings, it might be best to seek help at a reputable drug rehab center. Recovery Centers of America has drug rehab locations across the country that offer various evidence-based treatment options, including detox, individual and group therapy, and more.