Why is Anger an Obstacle in Recovery ?

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Why is Anger an Obstacle in Recovery ?

25 August, 2021Articles, News

A person in recovery may face any number of challenges to their recovery process. Some of these challenges are external, we have problems with our family, friends and in our careers. Our financial situation may change, or our health may fail us. Other problems are a bit harder to pin down. We may struggle with flawed thinking, our attitudes and behavioural patterns may hold us back, and our emotions may control us despite our best efforts. A dragon many addicts and alcoholics must face in recovery is their own anger.

What is anger?
Anger is an emotional state brought on when a person feels offended or threatened. The same way humans express anger and rage at perceived danger, is present in many animals, this suggests that anger is part of a survival mechanic, rather than just a state of being. It is part of the “fight or flight” response. The body and brain are flooded with adrenaline, epinephrine and norepinephrine. This increases blood flow to the muscles and allows you to react faster and fight harder. This type of response is crucial when living in a situation where you must outrun predators and fight for your life, but you’re not running from a grizzly bear, you are not fighting off hungry scavengers, a taxi just cut you off on the way to work. Despite the reality of the situation, the brain and body still react as if your life is on the line.

Anger and the recovery process
Anger is very often an emotion used to cover up other emotions. This is the main reason why -in the recovery process, anger is particularly damaging. It is a superb defence mechanism. When a person is sad, or fearful or feels ashamed, it is so easy to just cover all those unpleasant feelings in a layer of anger. It is a way of protecting the ideas we had about ourselves and the things we went through. It helps us shift blame and fuels denial about the part we play in the situations we find ourselves in. Simply put, when angry it is near impossible to be vulnerable. Anger tells us that we are always right. That we don’t need to change and that these people (counsellors, sponsors, friends and family) who are telling us that we need to change are wrong. Recovery demands vulnerability. To fully solve our problems, we need to confront them head on. Being able to accept criticism, have our illusions about ourselves and the world around us shattered takes a great amount of courage.

What do we do about our anger
The initial feeling of anger is not actually the problem we have to solve. We often cannot control how our brains and bodies decide to react in the moment. There are however areas where we do have control. How am I going to react to this situation or person which is making me angry? And, how long am I going to be angry about this situation or at this person? The first often comes with time, practice and self-examination. It is almost as if you are trying to get in front of your thoughts before they run away with you. Studies have shown that meditation techniques are quiet effective in facilitating this type of adjustment in thinking patterns. In extreme cases anger management therapy and support groups may be necessary. When we are talking about the second choice we have, how long am I going to be angry, this often takes the form of a conscious decision to work through our feelings. When we hold on to resentment it is not an active process we are participating in. It is an underlying and unconscious pain, and whether we are aware of this pain or not, it could affect our judgments and our interactions with other people. In the 12 steps, we are asked to do a searching and fearless moral inventory, this is often where we are made aware of our resentments and just how deeply they have affected us. We are then asked to share this. It is in the sharing of our pain and anger that we can finally start to forgive, accept and let it go.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with an addiction – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
Read more
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
Read more
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
Read more
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
Read more

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Rehab in South Africa: A Look at How the Process Works

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Home / Posts tagged "Rehab in Gauteng"

Rehab in South Africa: A Look at How the Process Works

20 July, 2021Articles, News

For many of us, the only reference we have on how the process of rehabilitation works, comes from television. It is a process that has a reputation for being difficult and deeply challenging. Some may fear entering the process because of a prevailing perception that it requires significant change, which is a daunting prospect for anyone. That’s why we deem it so important to demystify the process, so that those who are struggling with addiction can reach a place of hope and realise that treatment is simply the beginning of a journey that takes place one day at a time. Change comes gradually, and although the process is not easy, getting clean is the beginning of a new, more fulfilling life. In this article, we break down the process of rehab in South Africa into four main components.

Detox

The first step in the process of rehab in South Africa, is to detox. The process of detoxing will vary from person-to-person because different substances have different effects on the body and mind. Each person’s detox process will be guided by a medical practitioner, who will be able to administer any form of treatment that may be required. Those who are entering rehab for a process addiction like porn addiction, may not need to go through the detox process but may enter the next phase of treatment immediately. Every patient’s needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Group Therapy

Learning to talk about feelings in an open and honest forum is an important step in the process of rehab in South Africa. Group therapy has proven to be an indispensable tool for personal development. Facilitators or counsellors will guide each group by suggesting a topic or by stimulating discussion and sharing. Some patients engage immediately with the process of group therapy, while for some, trusting others may take time. The most important thing to remember is that group therapy meets individuals where they are, allowing everyone to participate at their own pace.

One-on-One Therapy

Each patient will be paired with a counsellor upon entering the treatment process. Individual counselling sessions tend to go deeper than group therapy sessions in that counsellors may wish to help the individual to unearth some of the deep-seated issues that may be unresolved. Over time, each individual, forms a valuable connection and bond with their counsellor. Apart from being qualified, specialised addiction counsellors – all our counsellors are in recovery from addiction themselves and thus have personal knowledge of where addiction is capable of taking a person. This facilitates the process of trust between client and counsellor.

12-Step Fellowships

What happens after rehab is just as important as what happens during treatment. For this reason, at Crossroads Recovery Centres, we introduce recovering addicts to 12-step fellowships like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous in the hopes that after treatment, clients will decide to immerse themselves fully in the recovery journey. These fellowships provide an indispensable support network that helps to guide the individual towards finding a new way to live without the use of addictive substances and behaviour.

These four stages are some of the bastions of the rehab process, but the list is in no way exhaustive. There are other components that may form part of treatment, including life skills workshops, yoga, meditation, craft classes and similar forms of therapy.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with substance abuse or alcoholism – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
Read more
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
Read more
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
Read more
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
Read more

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The Four Stages of Alcoholism

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Home / Posts tagged "Rehab in Gauteng"

The Four Stages of Alcoholism

09 June, 2021Articles, News

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be an alcoholic, then recognizing the stages of alcoholism may help you weigh the options available to you for detoxification and treatment. The four phases of alcoholism were defined by E. Morton Jellinek, a scientific researcher who did extensive work on alcoholism and was a major contributor to the modern view of alcoholism as a biological, not moral, failing. The alcoholism stages are: pre-alcoholic, early alcoholic, middle alcoholic, and late alcoholic.

Stage One: Pre-Alcoholic

During the pre-alcoholic stage, there is little evidence of problem drinking. Much of the behaviour during this phase would look normal to a casual observer. Drinking is primarily social at the beginning of this stage. However, as this stage progresses; drinking is used with increasingly greater frequency as a means for stress reduction. The major physiological characteristic of this phase is that the person begins to develop a tolerance for alcohol. This means that he or she can drink ever larger amounts of alcohol while still functioning. Eventually, it takes large amounts of alcohol to result in inebriation. If you are wondering if you are in the pre-alcoholic stage, ask yourself if you drink to make yourself feel better, or if you drink because the people around you are drinking and it is socially appropriate. If you are drinking manageable amounts in social settings, than you most likely do not need to be overly worried. However, if you are drinking to make yourself feel better, to avoid worrying, to forget bad memories, or to reduce anxiety, you may be in the pre-alcoholic stage. Also be wary of drinking to relieve physical pain, which can escalate. If you are drinking to dull physical pain, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the problem.

Stage Two: Early Alcoholic

After you have suffered your first alcohol related blackout, you are in the early alcoholic stage. This stage is characterized by a growing discomfort with drinking combined with an inability to resist it. You may find yourself lying about drinking to friends or loved ones. You might also hide drinks, perhaps spiking your soda or coffee when no one else is around. During this stage, your tolerance of alcohol continues to grow. You may also become obsessed with thoughts of alcohol.

Stage Three: Middle Alcoholic

In the middle alcoholic stage the symptoms of alcoholism usually become obvious to friend and family members. You may begin missing work or social obligations because of drinking or hangovers. You might drink at inappropriate times, such as when caring for your children, driving, or at work. You may also become increasingly irritable, arguing with your spouse or friends. Your body will begin to change because of alcohol abuse. You may develop facial redness, stomach bloating, sluggishness, weight gain, or weight loss. In this stage, you may make several attempts to stop drinking and even attend support groups. Support groups, as well as other forms of treatment, can be effective. Many who struggle with alcohol abuse are able to successfully control urges to drink with help.

Stage Four: Late Alcoholic

During the late alcoholic stage, the effects of long-term alcohol abuse are apparent, and serious health problems may develop. Drinking becomes an all-day affair, and everything in life, including family and friends, takes a backseat to drinking. If job loss has not already occurred, it frequently happens in this stage. Diseases caused by drinking may develop, such as cirrhosis of the liver or dementia. Paranoia is characteristic of this stage, as well. Late-stage alcoholics might also become overly fearful and not be able to explain why. Attempts to stop drinking may be characterized by tremors or hallucinations. However, even the last stages of alcoholism can be helped with therapy, detoxification, and rehabilitation.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with an alcoholism – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one, but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope, and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

Resources

Alcohol.org. 2018. Alcoholic Types. The Four Stages of Alcoholism. https://www.alcohol.org/alcoholism-types/stages/

Written by: Taleen Heath

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
Read more
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
Read more
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
Read more
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
Read more