Addiction strips away, little by little, all that is good from a person who is struggling with drugs and alcohol. One of the first things that seems to go away is the level of gratitude that a person expresses due to the entitlement and selfishness that begins to consume them as their addiction begins to progress. Unmistakably people that become addicted to drugs and alcohol are stereotyped as “bad people”, but the truth of the matter is that most of these people are actually just blocked off from the feeling of being grateful because the substance abuse takes over. Once in recovery, there are various ways that someone can regain their gratitude.
Understand what you have
You may find yourself taking things for granted. Experiencing the finer things in life may make you underestimate how important certain things are until they are gone. Relationships, your job, shelter, smiles, and support, for example, are all things that can go away when their importance is not genuinely understood.
Appreciate the small things
Noticing the things that really make a difference in life, can make a big distinction in your level of your gratefulness. Hearing the sweet laughter of children, observing the changes in nature, or even the deliciousness of food, can make acceptance become more prevalent when you are getting into a recovery lifestyle. Every day experiences can turn into life-changing moments when your attitude is one of gratitude.
Pray for others
Although you may not like the act of prayer, praying for others can open your heart to experience compassion for others that you may not have ever been able to muster before. Thinking of others in their time of need and using prayer to help them achieve some sort of tranquility, can prove to be important for the both of you. Taking the action to pray for a loved one can show you a different type of grace that can turn into gratitude.
Enjoy what life has to offer
During addiction you probably did not have time to pursue the things that you really enjoyed because your addiction gave you the perception that drugs and alcohol gave you all the enjoyment you needed. Doing what you love to do will create excitement to be grateful for music, hiking, or family moments that you may have previously missed out on.
Learning to live in gratitude is a great place to be. By counting your blessings, you can see how truly amazing life can be in recovery.
If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs or alcohol, Serenity Oaks Wellness Center can show you how to regain your gratitude in sobriety. Our holistic therapy and 12-Step aspects together can show you how to adorn your soul in recovery.
Call us today:
844-720-6847
