Overcoming sobriety fatigue involves recognizing its signs and acknowledging that it is a normal part of the recovery process. Even if they are going through it, not everyone knows what sobriety fatigue is. Roaring Brook Recovery is here to help you with overcoming sobriety fatigue. Let’s start with a definition of sobriety fatigue and some tips that can assist you through it. Then, we’ll talk about our programs, getting in touch with our center, and some frequently asked questions about the topic.
What is Sobriety Fatigue?
First, what is sobriety fatigue? Also called recovery fatigue, sobriety fatigue is when you start to feel tired or exhausted by the addiction recovery process. It takes a great deal of effort to heal from addiction and its effects; working through triggers, going to meetings or therapy sessions, and rebuilding your life can get overwhelming. However, it is worth it, and even if it takes work, you can overcome sobriety fatigue.
Overcoming Sobriety Fatigue
Here are some tips for overcoming sobriety fatigue:
- Adding enjoyable hobbies to your life: Enjoyable hobbies can help you break through the fatigue and have fun. Finding ways to have fun in sobriety is crucial, and this is part of why that is the case.
- Stick with healthy routines: Healthy routines that support your recovery can help you stay on track. Even if you do not want to, continued participation in meetings or therapy matters and can help you get through this stage.
- Seeking support from professionals: Professional guidance can be crucial when overcoming sobriety fatigue, as it can be a vulnerable time. It’s important to recognize sobriety fatigue as the emotional challenge it is, rather than ignoring it.
- Talking with peers: Talking with peers in support group meetings or group therapy sessions gives you the chance to discuss what you’re going through.
- Staying motivated: Remembering your motivations for recovery and discussing things like your goals and values with professionals can help.
Our treatment programs teach all of these strategies, among other practices and skills that will support your recovery journey. For example, relapse prevention strategies and coping skills for triggers.
Our Programs
Our programs involve evidence-based treatment methods and fun, complementary activities or treatments, like hiking and art therapy. Here’s how Roaring Brook Recovery’s programs can help you through sobriety fatigue:
Partial Hospitalization Program
The partial hospitalization program (PHP) at Roaring Brook Recovery is our most intensive and structured treatment program. PHP clients at our center in Kentucky participate in treatment five days per week. Your PHP schedule will include group therapy, individual therapy sessions, and other activities, such as family therapy. A comprehensive blend of evidence-based approaches used to address addiction, like behavioral therapies and 12-step, and supportive treatments, is used at our center to facilitate whole-person healing. Treatment schedules are tailored to the needs of the individual.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) employs the same personalized and effective approach to treating addiction and its underlying causes. However, the time commitment for IOP is lower than that of PHP. IOP provides additional time for external obligations, like working a job or participation in college classes. Some clients start treatment in IOP, whereas others step down to IOP following PHP.
Sober Living Kentucky
We offer sober living in Kentucky. Staying in our sober living homes comes with many benefits. If you are overcoming sobriety fatigue, sober living can provide accountability, support, and structure that help you stay committed to recovery.
Alumni Program
Sometimes, sobriety fatigue will onset after someone has graduated from an addiction treatment program like PHP or IOP. An alumni program provides resources to former clients, like continued support from staff and access to meetings and sober events, that can help you break through sobriety fatigue.
Call Roaring Brook Recovery for Help Overcoming Sobriety Fatigue
Roaring Brook Recovery is a treatment center providing person-centered, evidence-based treatment rooted in the 12-step program. We are always evolving with the needs of our clients and provide an extensive spectrum of resources that help people like you through each and every stage of the addiction recovery process. Call Roaring Brook Recovery for help overcoming sobriety fatigue today at (866) 679-0668.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the signs of sobriety fatigue?
Sobriety fatigue may not present the exact same for everyone. Possible signs of sobriety fatigue include but aren’t necessarily limited to the following.
- Feeling unmotivated or apathetic about recovery. Some people may experience emotional signs, like an increase in depression symptoms.
- Frustration or resentment toward the work necessary for addiction recovery. For example, frustration related to going to therapy, attending support group meetings, practicing coping skills, or staying abstinent from substances.
- Temptation to isolate yourself, avoid support group meetings, or miss therapy sessions.
- Physical signs of sobriety fatigue, like increased tiredness or trouble sleeping.
- Increased stress related to the demands of recovery.
Telling an addiction treatment professional or your sponsor can be helpful at this time. They can help you with overcoming sobriety fatigue and other challenges you may run into. We help clients stay accountable for recovery, which can be important during sobriety fatigue.
Is sobriety fatigue normal?
Yes. Sobriety fatigue is very common in those going through addiction recovery. It does not need to last. Acknowledging that you are experiencing sobriety fatigue is important because it means that you can open up to other people (ideally, those who understand addiction) about how you are feeling. For example, you may speak with support group members or a substance abuse therapist. They can likely provide guidance and help you through it.
What causes sobriety fatigue in addiction recovery?
There are many possible causes or contributing factors to sobriety fatigue in addiction recovery. Anything from post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and emotional or mental health challenges to unrealistically hard expectations of yourself to feeling overwhelmed, busy, or stagnant can contribute to sobriety fatigue. Having support from someone like an addiction therapist or sponsor at this time matters because they can help you uncover what’s causing your sobriety fatigue and take the steps toward overcoming it.