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Defining the term -

A term first coined by the 12-step community, "emotional sobriety" refers to the important second step in recovering from addiction and abuse.

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Emotional vs. physical sobriety -

Distinct from physical sobriety, which focuses on stopping the use of the substance itself, emotional sobriety gives people the strategies they need to maintain their state of non-dependence.

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Crucial step -

Emotional sobriety is a crucial step in the recovery journey. It focuses on fostering resilience and preventing relapse by addressing the underlying factors that can cause addiction in the first place.

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Wider application -

While the concept of emotional sobriety has its origins in the Alcoholics Anonymous community, it is relevant to anyone looking to live a more emotionally-regulated life.

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In a nutshell -

Indeed, emotional sobriety is about being at peace with your authentic emotions, feeling free to share them with others when appropriate, and not letting them control you.

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Benefits -

The benefits of emotional sobriety are manifold, whether you are a recovering addict or just someone looking to improve their mental health.

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Tuning into your emotions -

By practicing emotional sobriety, you can become more in tune with your emotions and learn to acknowledge the active role you play in your own life.

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Improved relationships -

Emotionally sober people are also better at communicating with others and setting boundaries, which, in turn, improves their relationships with others.

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In the case of addicts -

In the case of people with substance abuse issues, emotional sobriety can give them the tools they need to understand both themselves and others.

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Long-term benefit -

Moreover, being able to process their emotions without the barrier of substances is very beneficial to the recovering addict in the long term.

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Strategies for achieving emotional sobriety - There are several different strategies you can use to develop your emotional sobriety. The first is behavior therapy, a treatment that focuses on identifying and challenging unhealthy behaviors.

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Therapy -

There are different types of behavior therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

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Common premise -

All the various types of behavior therapy have a common premise, however, which is that all behaviors are learned and can be changed.

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Solutions-oriented -

Behavior therapy is solutions-focused. It focuses on the patient's current problems and tries to find strategies for dealing with them, rather than delving into the past.

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Acceptance - Another important step to take in your journey towards emotional recovery is to learn to accept your own negative emotions.

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Acceptance -

People recovering from addiction often experience a wealth of negative emotions, from guilt to fear. Accepting these negative feelings is a crucial part of the recovery process.

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Acceptance -

In order to achieve emotional sobriety, try and learn to accept these negative emotions; embrace them, even. That way, they won't overwhelm you.

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Seek support from others -

Another good strategy for building emotional sobriety is to seek support from those around you. A great place to start would be to share your emotions with someone who makes you feel safe.

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Meetings - In the case of addicts, participation in peer group meetings, such as those held by Alcoholics Anonymous, can provide an important sense of camaraderie and support.

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Proven track record -

Indeed, these meetings have helped countless recovering addicts in their journey towards recovery, in large part by boosting levels of emotional sobriety.

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Holistic therapies - Finally, many people find that holistic therapies are a great way to complement behavior therapy and promote emotional sobriety.

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Holistic therapies -

By focusing on mindfulness, holistic therapies can help people live in the present moment and avoid falling into the trap of dwelling on the past.

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Holistic therapies -

Examples of proven holistic therapies include yoga, meditation, and treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic care.

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Overcoming obstacles -

The journey towards emotional sobriety is not always easy and, as with anything in life, things can happen to knock you off course.

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Dealing with rejection - A common obstacle that people face is overcoming social pressures and dealing with the fear of rejection. Indeed, many people find it difficult to prioritize their emotional sobriety over the needs of others.

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Overcoming the obstacle -

If this sounds like you, try to bear in mind that a large part of emotional sobriety is knowing how to communicate properly with others and setting healthy boundaries.

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Maintaining emotional sobriety -

Once you have laid the groundwork for your emotional sobriety, you will need to practice sharing your feelings with others in order to maintain it.

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The ultimate goal -

The ultimate goal, after all, is to be operating from a peaceful state that allows you to cope with whatever challenges life may throw your way.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Wellness Retreat Recovery)

See also: How to begin and sustain your recovery from substance abuse

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