When we were in active use, we probably experienced a lot of emotions that were less than positive. Now that drugs and alcohol are out of our system, it's time to get emotionally sober. It's about being honest, trying to be as selfless as possible. Let go of anger and resentment.
When we were in active use, we probably experienced a lot of emotions that were less than positive. We probably felt anxiety, sadness, guilt, shame, resentment. And we also probably acted in ways that we're not super proud of as well. We were dishonest. We were selfish. We might have manipulated people. We thought about our own needs beyond those of the people around us. Now that drugs and alcohol are out of our system, it's time to get emotionally sober. Part of that is just the opposite of everything we were talking about before.
It's about being honest, trying to be as selfless as possible, trying to think about the needs of others, trying to let go of anger and resentment, to not be too consumed by anxiety. The reason being is these are all emotions and behaviors that help us feel good about ourselves, and that in turn helps us to feel sober. If we're living in anger, it's very easy for us to find a reason to relapse if we're really consumed by anxiety. The same thing if we're able to be dishonest about not doing what we're supposed to be doing at work or missing a friend's commitment and lying about the reason why, and we get away with it.
It's a really slippery slope to then lying about a relapse and leading on to greater use. So emotional sobriety, it's all about trying to be up here and in here the best version of yourself now that drugs and alcohol are not getting in the way.
