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A modern, community-based approach to addiction treatment for Men and Women in Charleston, SC

Humor: Learning to Laugh in Recovery

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The iconic French author Victor Hugo famously said, “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” Humor and learning to laugh in recovery can be vital for long-term success. The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one find humor in their lives and success in their recovery.

Better Understanding Addiction

Millions of people struggle with addiction in the U.S. and abroad. These are people who struggle with both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and substance use disorder (SUD). 

It is also important to understand that these struggles are not some sort of moral failing or “choice.” Rather, they are the results of the “disease” of addiction. Yes, addiction is a chronic disease that is similar to other chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Addiction is also a family disease. This is because it affects everyone that it comes into contact with, not just the individual who is struggling. As is often said, addiction is like a tornado that destroys everything and everyone that gets in its path. This is also why being able to spot the signs and symptoms of addiction can be so vital.

The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction are going to vary based on the individual. However, there are many universal signs that there may be a problem. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

  • Experiencing otherwise unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
  • Trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
  • Feeling an overwhelming sense of dread
  • Isolating away from family and close friends
  • Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
  • Not being able to stop using or drinking once started
  • Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
  • Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness (depression)
  • Experiencing alcohol or substance-related trouble at work or school
  • Committing self-harm
  • Having suicidal ideations

As one can see, these are significant issues, which is why if any, many, or all of the symptoms manifest, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. 

The Importance of Humor: Learning to Laugh in Recovery

Learning to laugh in recovery is all about remembering that an individual didn’t get sober to get miserable, they got sober to start to live a life free of the restraints of addiction. Also, one of the best ways to learn how to laugh in recovery is to connect with other people who are also in recovery.

People who have had similar experiences in active addiction are more likely to see the underlying humor that can exist after the emotional and physical pain subsides. Connecting with other people in recovery is also a great way to avoid relapse. The primary text of 12-Step recovery (also known as the Big Book), states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]… You can help when no one else can.”

Relapse is also more common than many people realize, which makes having the tools to avoid it all the more essential. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”

Learning to Laugh in Recovery: Utilizing Multiple Means, Methods, and Modalities

There are also many other ways of finding laughter in recovery. This is especially true with utilizing various types of holistic healing modalities such as yoga and meditation.

Yoga and meditation help an individual to clear away all of the emotional blockages that can often inhibit laughter from happening. Meditation also offers many other types of benefits. According to the International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda (AYU), “During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency.”

Learning to Laugh in Recovery With Lantana Recovery

Here at Lantana Recovery, we understand that it is critical to be able to laugh in recovery. This is why we offer treatment plans that make laughter a priority.

Yes, recovery is serious business. But, recovery should be seriously fun as well.

Of course, recovery and addiction treatment is serious business. However, it is also important to laugh in recovery. It is important to remember to connect with others, have fun, and laugh in recovery. As is often said in 12-Step recovery, “We are not a glum lot,” because nobody gets sober to live a life that isn’t fun and free. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the importance of humor in sobriety, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.

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Charleston South Carolina

Charleston South Carolina

Located on the historic peninsula of Charleston, South Carolina, Lantana Recovery takes a modern approach to Substance Use Disorder treatment, offering intensive clinical care while also immersing our clients in local Charleston culture.