Last Updated:
June 10th, 2024
Like a lot of things that can take a long time to work towards, sometimes our achievements do not always work out the way we expect them to. This can be the case for giving up alcohol. During alcohol addiction treatment, the focus may consistently be on looking towards the future, on working towards sobriety for a happier, healthier you. However, quitting alcohol does not always mean we will find happiness straight away. Human happiness is a complex and multifaceted concept – and sometimes, following alcohol rehab, individuals may struggle for some time to attain it. Ending an addiction cycle is not an immediate guarantee of complete fulfilment. But why does this happen? What might prevent individuals from finding happiness after formal alcohol help?
1. Memories of alcohol through rose-Tinted glasses
During alcoholism treatment, there will be a lot of focus on your reasons for recovery. You may be asked to write a list or a letter to yourself explaining why you want to leave alcohol in the past. At this point, when we are in the throes of the situation, it can be easier to identify the more negative alcohol effects. However, when we are in active recovery, and there is a greater distance between ourselves and those negative experiences, we can begin to look back and potentially remember the more positive parts of our drinking days. This means we can begin to miss the buzz that alcohol gives us as we start to minimise the more serious effects it may have had on our lives.
2. Alcohol is a coping mechanism
An important thing to remember is that for many people, drinking alcohol is a coping mechanism. It is a way of managing stress. If we remove our coping mechanisms, we can find that we struggle to have an outlet for our emotions. Or, we may find that we start using another form of unhealthy (or maladaptive) coping mechanism, such as engaging in unsafe sex, emotionally withdrawing or falling into unhealthy eating, sleeping or financial habits. This means that it is essential to replace drinking alcohol with a healthier form of coping mechanism, such as exercise, a hobby, or mindfulness activities.
3. Alcohol consumption can be social
In 2019, 54% of adults in England reported drinking alcohol in the past week. When the vast majority of people drink – and drinking is seen as a highly social activity – it can be very hard to know how to adjust to a sober social life. This can lead to isolation and withdrawal, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
4. Strong emotions in sobriety
Recovery is a rollercoaster. The personal and psychological adjustments that occur during the journey to a sober lifestyle can feel very intense. This can unearth a range of complicated feelings, such as guilt, shame, regret, remorse, and even anger. It can also leave some individuals feeling uncertain of their identity in the absence of alcohol. This in itself can lead to deep reflection, which can be uncomfortable and, in some instances, act to deepen experiences of depression and anxiety.
5. Dealing with triggers and relapse prevention
One of the most crucial components of relapse prevention is identifying potential triggers. This means being able to acknowledge what people, places, things or activities may increase our likelihood or desire to drink alcohol. It is not uncommon for sober individuals to relapse due to social pressure, a peak in personal distress, or even due to nostalgia for the perceived benefits of alcohol. This means that it is essential to identify your triggers and keep a plan in place for how to manage them effectively in a way that reduces your risk of beginning to drink again.
6. The need to address underlying concerns
If you stop drinking, that means that your relationship with alcohol is now under control. However, that does not necessarily mean that the underlying reasons for your relationship with alcohol have suddenly gone away. Lots of people turn to alcohol as a way of dealing with previous trauma and difficult feelings, personal conflicts, or to manage co-occurring mental health disorders. This means that a move towards sobriety necessitates deeper self-reflection and engagement with the tricky components of our inner lives.
7. The pivotal role of a support system
Battling addiction can feel like a momentous task, and it is very difficult to go through it alone. One of the greatest predictors of long-term sobriety is the level of social support. If you feel supported and integrated during your recovery, then you are more likely to be able to work through difficult situations with the help of loved ones. In the absence of a strong support network, feelings of isolation, helplessness and overwhelm can quickly lead to a decline in well-being, ultimately resulting in depression and an increased risk of relapse.
8. Sobriety doesn’t mean immediate happiness
There is perhaps a misconception that quitting alcohol will automatically ‘cure’ us. However, people are very multifaceted. Dealing with addiction is one part of our personal journey towards wellness; it cannot account for our happiness entirely. In order to work towards genuine happiness, patience and perseverance are needed. It takes time to rebuild our relationship with ourselves. Happiness does not come overnight, but when you approach yourself with gentleness, sensitivity, and a positive motivation to move forward, you may find that happiness in active recovery may be closer than you first thought.
If you feel you would benefit from talking to someone who can talk you through the negative emotions you might experience after rehab or throughout recovery, reach out to us at UKAT today. We are here to help.