Sad & Sober: Dealing With A Breakup In Recovery

addiction detox program, residential mental health treatment in Palm Beach, South Florida behavioral health center

Going through a breakup is tough for anyone, but going through a breakup in recovery can be devastating for the former addict. Not only can a bad breakup make you feel like your world is crashing down around you, but a breakup in early recovery can be dangerous to your sobriety. You already endured the discomfort of an addiction detox program and made it through treatment. Do not let the end of a relationship ruin the progress you made.

How to Cope With A Breakup in Recovery

As a South Florida behavioral health center, we understand that a bad breakup is an easy excuse to fall off the wagon, so we are sharing some tips on dealing with a breakup in recovery so that your broken heart doesn’t cost you your sobriety.

Lean on Your Support System

With an aching heart and the vulnerability of newfound sobriety, you need a good support system now more than ever. Make sure you find people you can trust or count on. This could be a family member, friends, or peers from your treatment program. Now would also be a good time to regularly attend addiction support groups in the area to make sure you stay on track.

Allow Yourself Time To Feel

Breakups are hard, so it is okay to be upset. Rather than putting on a brave face and pushing your emotions aside, take the time to feel. You need time to process all of your emotions so that you are able to move forward. Journaling in recovery is often used to help people during this difficult time, so it may be even more beneficial now that you are mourning an ended relationship as well. You could also try meditation to sort through your emotions or good old-fashioned chick flicks for a good cry. Just be careful not to dwell on your emotions for too long or wallow in self-pity.

Keep A Healthy Routine

Following a healthy routine is an important part of addiction recovery, but when you are dealing with a breakup, it can be tempting to throw these healthy habits out of the window. As hard as it may be, try to eat healthy, maintain a good sleep schedule, and exercise regularly. Exercise especially can be a good way to distract yourself as well as boost endorphins naturally. Don’t neglect the routine you created; doing so will only make you feel worse and is much more likely to lead to a relapse.

Professional Help

When you can’t seem to move past the breakup or you feel like a relapse is imminent, it is okay to ask for professional help. Programs like our residential mental health treatment in Palm Beach are designed to help people learn to cope with their mental health issues.

Dealing with a breakup in recovery isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of your sobriety. If you do relapse, get help before you spiral out of control. At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, we are here to help whether you relapsed or are looking for first-time treatment.