Those who manage to remain grateful are likely to be the most successful. Interestingly, expressing gratitude may also have benefits for those on the receiving end. A study published in Emotion found that people who received letters of gratitude reported feeling happier and more satisfied with their gratitude in recovery lives than those who didn’t receive any such letter. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.
- Expressing gratitude doesn’t demand a significant time commitment or effort; it’s about finding methods that align with our individual preferences and lifestyles.
- Cultivating a thankful mindset can help people in addiction recovery to overcome negative thoughts and emotions, combat stress and depression, and find meaning and purpose in their lives.
- It is suggested that those individuals who continue to feel grateful for their recovery will never relapse.
- It can be anything from the big (e.g., “I’m grateful for my sobriety”) to the small (e.g., “I’m grateful for a sunny day”).
- Making a gratitude list is a beneficial part of every nightly routine for several reasons.
The more good things you fill your life with, the less space you have left over for negative thoughts, deeds, or actions. If people take their recovery too much for granted it can lead to problems. It may mean that they are not willing to fight hard to keep their sobriety. As soon as they hit a rocky patch in their recovery they may decide to relapse because they don’t believe that they have that much to lose.
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Creating a gratitude list in recovery is an effective relapse prevention tool and is an excellent way to give voice to what you truly feel inside. Before you can commit pen and paper and create your own gratitude list in recovery, it is helpful to know what exactly gratitude is and the importance of gratitude in recovery. The Greater Good Science Center in Berkeley in California reports from its research that grateful people are more optimistic and have more control of their lives. They can better cope and navigate hurdles that cross their paths, resulting in less manifested stress than people that do not practice gratitude in their lives.
- It forces you to appreciate the progress you’ve made, enjoy even the minor things in life and acknowledge everything in life that helps you — such as people, your body, medication and more.
- In this section, we’ll explore the definition of gratitude and how it can affect addiction recovery.
- One way is to begin journaling about the things in your life that you are grateful for right now.
- Many times people with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) can quickly go down this path of negative thinking.
- Scientific studies tell us that gratitude can benefit a person’s recovery experience.
Addiction also puts people at risk for violence and criminal activity. Having the opportunity to pursue recovery can be a cause for gratitude. Not everyone gets a “second chance” at life, so it is important to be grateful for your opportunity.
Make gratitude a habit
Positive psychology not only impacts your mental health, but physical, spiritual and social health too. In your journal, take time to note down the things and events of the day that you’re grateful for. Whether it’s a chance to sleep a little later in the morning https://ecosoberhouse.com/ or a meeting with an old friend, note it down. Include as many gratitude-inspiring things as you can in each session. Your entries create a picture of all the positive things in your life that you may never have noticed while using drugs or alcohol.
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