Recovering from the effects of alcohol and other drug use is a lifelong journey. As these chemicals have such a substantial impact on the brain’s structure and functioning, it can take a lifetime to reverse the consequences of repeated or chronic substance use. While seeking treatment is an accomplishment worth celebrating, it only marks the very begging of one’s sobriety and recovery journey. To sustain long-lasting sobriety, one must stay engaged in continuing treatment.
Still, at some point or another, most people run into feeling unmotivated during their recovery journey. Many things can contribute to reduced or lost motivation to maintain sobriety. This is why it is important to become familiar with different ways that one can stay motivated and continually choose recovery.
What role does motivation play in achieving and sustaining addiction recovery?
Motivation is a key component of success in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). When a person is actively using substances, their motivating force to seek and use drugs is deeply rooted in the reward center of their brain. This reward center is fueled by the neurotransmitter called dopamine, which is responsible for identifying and motivating behaviors that produce feelings of pleasure.
Substance use creates abnormal surges of dopamine in the brain, which a person’s brain quickly identifies as pleasurable. However, this pleasure is incomparable to the pleasure experienced from any natural reward, such as eating or engaging in a favorite activity. Substance use exceeds the feeling of pleasure achieved from natural rewards, which causes the brain to develop compulsive substance-seeking and substance-using behaviors. While a person may not consciously choose to seek out substances repeatedly, their reward center motivates them to do so.
Most individuals don’t feel motivated to seek out treatment during the initial stages of addiction. Typically, it takes a great amount of time combined with experiencing the consequences of substance use for one to develop the motivation for change. Even when that motivation to change becomes apparent, it can be easy to fall back into old habits. However, finding and sustaining a sense of motivation throughout the recovery journey is essential for maintaining sobriety and well-being.
Tips to sustaining motivation in recovery
Despite what some people may believe, motivation is not always something that develops naturally. Perhaps during the beginning stages of one’s recovery, motivation comes easier because the consequences of substance use become clear. However, once an individual finishes a long-term treatment program or begins to feel comfortable in their sobriety progression, motivation may begin to dwindle.
Sustaining motivation takes consistent effort from the one in recovery. Below are some ways to keep or regain motivation when recovery gets tough.
Reflect on why you chose recovery from substance use.
One of the most helpful ways one can regain motivation in recovery is by taking the time to reflect on what brought them to recovery in the first place. When one is years into recovery, it can feel like the intensity of the obsessive and compulsive behaviors one experienced when they were actively using is forgotten.
However, one must continually look back on the consequences of past substance use to propel oneself forward during recovery. Consider any lost friendships, legal troubles, lack of self-worth, withdrawal symptoms and genuine numbness that substance use might have brought to one’s life. Whenever an individual feels reduced motivation to continue recovery, they can revisit these reasons.
Attend mutual self-help groups regularly.
Although people can feel reduced motivation while they are undergoing treatment, this reduced motivation often develops from a lack of engagement with treatment and recovery. One should consider what continuing treatment resources one is actively engaging in. If one is not engaging in anything, it may be a sign to attend a mutual self-help group.
Mutual self-help groups, such as 12-Step groups, can facilitate motivation through social support. It can be inspiring to listen to how others overcame hardships and bumps in the road during their recovery journey. Similarly, it can be encouraging to revisit the challenges an individual has overcome. In addition to self-help groups, one can also increase their sense of motivation to stay in recovery by attending sober activities offered by their community.
Be grateful for all that recovery from substance use has brought you.
Gratitude is a powerful force. Not only is it vital to recognize all that recovery has brought to one’s life, but it is also vital to actively practice gratitude for one’s recovery experience as a whole. Recovery allows individuals to gain control back over their life, which at one point, they may have doubted would ever happen again. Recovery can also help individuals recognize the beauty that exists in sober consciousness, which is something that can be neglected while actively using substances.
These things only scratch the surface of the benefits that recovery can bring to one’s life. It is important to take time daily to be grateful for the strength one has gained because of treatment and recovery. Similarly, one can ponder where their life could’ve been without their commitment to treatment.
Reduced motivation is just a sign to get more involved with treatment activities and self-reflection.
Associated Behavioral Health Care (ABHC) is a comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment facility that understands reduced motivation for recovery. This is why we offer several continuing treatment opportunities, such as mutual support groups and aftercare planning. We are committed to helping you both achieve and sustain sobriety for the long term. To learn more, call (844) 335-7384.