The definition of “purpose” in regards to living in recovery is the ability to conduct meaningful daily activities and have the independence, income and resources to participate in society. Picking up the pieces after addiction is one of the hardest things to do. Many individuals may be at risk for relapse if they don’t fill their lives with something more meaningful, such as a connection to cause greater than themselves. You might frame the question to yourself in the following way: “Do I have a understandable sense of how meaning and life purpose operate in my life, am I having any problems with them, and if I am, are those problems a contributing factor in my compulsive or addictive behaviors?” Creating a goal list of several reachable goals is a good way to begin finding a sense of purpose in early recovery.
Job or School
In recovery, finding a job can be a challenge. Many times, there can be barriers to employment, such as criminal backgrounds, credit history, and housing security. However, it is not impossible to find a job that you will enjoy. Ultimately, having a steady income is a great first step in achieving financial stability. The first step is to decide what field would work well with your interests and schedule. And most importantly, does the job allow a good balance of work and life responsibilities? Or perhaps you are interested in furthering your education, through a trade or going to college. Many colleges and/or schools offer scholarships for people in recovery, which can be an exciting incentive and can help with costs.
Maintaining Positive Habits
Routine is one of the most important elements in recovery; it can create motivation and provide structure for even the most mundane days, allowing there to be less room for unpredictability and less time for triggering feelings and events. Creating a “Wellness Practice” list is a great way to begin, and creates small, manageable goals that are easily attainable. This can help to reinforce the new positive energy recovery brings to life. Perhaps incorporating more exercise into a lifestyle is a priority, or setting aside time for a cup of coffee and meditation in the morning. Setting up a nightly routine is also helpful and allows sleep to be less interrupted and more restful. This can also be a helpful tool in making sure there is a good balance between work, hobbies, and relationships. It also creates a sense of self-discipline, which helps with consistency and solidarity in recovery.
Purpose
The idea that you have a purpose in life might sound a bit new age, but this claim can also be found in Humanist psychology. Abraham Maslow is famous for his “hierarchy of needs”; one of these needs is self-actualization. If you are living below your abilities and have not tapped into your potential, you are likely to feel dissatisfied with your life. It is as if people have a built-in need to blossom and reveal all they are capable of, but a feeling of lack of purpose arises when individuals are not actively doing this. Likewise, with substance use disorder, having a sense of purpose is a protective factor against relapse.
Without the drugs or alcohol to fill the void, people in recovery need something else that will satisfy them spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Those things can be found perhaps in connecting to a greater cause, such as fighting against human trafficking, advocating for others who are going through substance use issues, or volunteering. Keep in mind that many times, volunteering can open up new doors for employment. Finding a cause that means something specific to your beliefs is a fantastic way to begin looking for a sense of purpose.
The definition of “purpose” in regards to living in recovery is the ability to conduct meaningful daily activities and have the independence, income and resources to participate in society. Picking up the pieces after addiction is one of the hardest things to do. Many individuals may be at risk for relapse if they don’t fill their lives with something more meaningful, such as a connection to cause greater than themselves. You might frame the question to yourself in the following way: “Do I have a understandable sense of how meaning and life purpose operate in my life, am I having any problems with them, and if I am, are those problems a contributing factor in my compulsive or addictive behaviors?” Creating a goal list of several reachable goals is a good way to begin finding a sense of purpose in early recovery.
Job or School
In recovery, finding a job can be a challenge. Many times, there can be barriers to employment, such as criminal backgrounds, credit history, and housing security. However, it is not impossible to find a job that you will enjoy. Ultimately, having a steady income is a great first step in achieving financial stability. The first step is to decide what field would work well with your interests and schedule. And most importantly, does the job allow a good balance of work and life responsibilities? Or perhaps you are interested in furthering your education, through a trade or going to college. Many colleges and/or schools offer scholarships for people in recovery, which can be an exciting incentive and can help with costs.
Maintaining Positive Habits
Routine is one of the most important elements in recovery; it can create motivation and provide structure for even the most mundane days, allowing there to be less room for unpredictability and less time for triggering feelings and events. Creating a “Wellness Practice” list is a great way to begin, and creates small, manageable goals that are easily attainable. This can help to reinforce the new positive energy recovery brings to life. Perhaps incorporating more exercise into a lifestyle is a priority, or setting aside time for a cup of coffee and meditation in the morning. Setting up a nightly routine is also helpful and allows sleep to be less interrupted and more restful. This can also be a helpful tool in making sure there is a good balance between work, hobbies, and relationships. It also creates a sense of self-discipline, which helps with consistency and solidarity in recovery.
Purpose
The idea that you have a purpose in life might sound a bit new age, but this claim can also be found in Humanist psychology. Abraham Maslow is famous for his “hierarchy of needs”; one of these needs is self-actualization. If you are living below your abilities and have not tapped into your potential, you are likely to feel dissatisfied with your life. It is as if people have a built-in need to blossom and reveal all they are capable of, but a feeling of lack of purpose arises when individuals are not actively doing this. Likewise, with substance use disorder, having a sense of purpose is a protective factor against relapse.
Without the drugs or alcohol to fill the void, people in recovery need something else that will satisfy them spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Those things can be found perhaps in connecting to a greater cause, such as fighting against human trafficking, advocating for others who are going through substance use issues, or volunteering. Keep in mind that many times, volunteering can open up new doors for employment. Finding a cause that means something specific to your beliefs is a fantastic way to begin looking for a sense of purpose.
