The iconic civil and human rights leader Nelson Mandela famously said, “Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” Many people in addiction recovery struggle with forgiveness. This is true of forgiving others, as well as forgiving themselves. For some, this is due to past trauma. However, forgiveness is a key component of a successful and long-term recovery.
Trauma, Addiction, and Forgiveness
Addiction is never as simple as someone who cannot put down the drink or the drug. It is all about the underlying reason why that person may take that drink or drug in the first place. This is why many people often say, “It’s more about the drinking than it is about the thinking.”
It is also true that many people believe “resentment to be the number one offender” in addiction recovery. So, what exactly does “number one offender” mean? It means that resentment can lead someone to relapse and cause them to drink or use quicker than anything else. Again, it is not the drink or drug, but the thoughts that can lead to the drink or drug.
Forgiveness is the most effective way to overcome resentments. This is true both of internal resentments and of resentments against other people. This may feel difficult, especially for individuals who struggle with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Better Understanding Trauma
Millions of people struggle with issues of trauma every day. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Medicine, “General population studies have shown that a large proportion of people in developed countries have been exposed to at least one TE [traumatic event] in their lifetime (estimates from 28 to 90%), with the most common events being the unexpected death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents, and being mugged.” Many people also struggle with trauma and may not even realize it. This can ultimately lead to more serious issues of PTSD.
Many people are under the misconception that only major events cause PTSD. This is simply untrue. PTSD can manifest for many reasons, and they don’t need to be monumental events either.
So, what exactly is PTSD? According to the peer-reviewed thesis Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, by Doctors Mann, Marwaha, and Torrico, “Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and complex psychiatric condition that arises in response to exposure to traumatic events, significantly impacting an individual’s mental well-being. Characterized by a diverse array of symptoms, PTSD can affect cognition, mood, somatic experiences, and behavior, leading to chronic impairments and an elevated risk of comorbid psychiatric illnesses, including an increased susceptibility to suicide.” PTSD can also quickly (or slowly) lead to addiction.
The Signs and Symptoms of Trauma and Addiction
Now, of course, the worlds of addiction and trauma are vast. So, pinning down an exact list of symptoms that fit every situation is impossible. However, there are many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few:
- Excessively thinking about drinking and/or using
- Feeling overly anxious and depressed
- Experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Not being able to stop drinking or using after starting
- Struggles with sleep cycles
- Negative changes in appetite
- Losing interest in one’s physical appearance
- Experiencing mood swings and acting out aggressively
- Feelings of self-harm
- Having suicidal ideation
Now, as you can see, these can be very serious symptoms, which is why seeking professional help as soon as possible is crucial. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. Early forgiveness can also help to avoid those long-term issues. One way of connecting with this concept of forgiveness is to work with others in recovery.
Working With Others in Recovery
Building new and healthy relationships in recovery is crucial for long-term success. Many people build these relationships in programs like 12-Step recovery. This is also where you can learn to forgive yourself and others. Working with others can also greatly reduce the chances of a relapse.
Working with others has been said to be one of the best ways to avoid a relapse in recovery. According to the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book), “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery].”
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our primary purpose is to help you recover by any means necessary. We believe in long-term success, not short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people who struggle with trauma end up struggling with addiction. Also, in recovery, the inability to forgive people who may be responsible for this trauma can stop someone from getting sober or lead to regular relapses. It can be highly beneficial to understand the importance of forgiveness for long-term sobriety. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about trauma, addiction, and forgiveness, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
