Rehab depression is a common phenomenon for those who are in addiction recovery. Being away from your daily existence, as well as all of your friends and loved ones can be very difficult and cause you to feel as if you are slipping away from the rest of the world. Fortunately, there are some ways to cope with rehab depression and handle the dark days.
Talk About Your Rehab Depression
Seek support by speaking to your counselor and other residents. Depending on how you feel, you may benefit from a one on one therapy session, or you may prefer to talk to a client who is experiencing the same type of problems. One of the main benefits when it comes to drug and alcohol rehabilitation is your ability to access a listening ear at all hours of the day or night.
In many instances, being able to vent and speak openly about your feelings of depression in a non-judgmental environment can make a world of difference. The first step to overcoming depression while in rehab is to realize that these feelings are normal and to talk them out with someone who has your best interests at heart.
Battle Rehab Depression by Journaling
Many people in recovery (especially early on) are urged to keep a journal so that they can thoroughly document all of the feelings and emotions that are bound to arise during their stint in a treatment facility. Self-expression is one of the best ways to overcome depression and handle the less than perfect days that take place during your time in a rehabilitation facility.
Whether it is documenting the events of the day or using journaling as a means of expressing feelings of loneliness, writing down your thoughts can help to learn more about yourself and the true cause for your addiction. Drug and alcohol abuse tend to cloud our self-awareness and rehab is a great place to figure things out and reach helpful epiphanies.
Reach Out to Friends and Family About Your Depression
Depending on the terms and conditions of your particular treatment program, you may not be able to speak with your friends and family members on a regular basis, but when you are experiencing depression, you should make an effort to speak to them as much as possible. An extended stint in rehab can make a client feel as if they have lost their tenuous grasp on the outside world.
By conversing with friends and family as often as possible, you can keep depression at bay and remind yourself of your real reason for enrolling in the program in the first place: to get better and resume a healthy and fulfilling existence with your loved ones.
