Thanksgiving In Addiction Recovery – Finding Things To Be Grateful For

Thanksgiving is a time of thanks and gratitude for many Americans. It is a time to spend with family and friends, reflecting on what we have to be thankful for. If you are in addiction recovery, however, the holiday can be a difficult time. How can you feel festive and grateful when you are struggling to maintain sobriety?

The answer is simple. Thanksgiving in addiction recovery is about finding things that inspire thanks and gratitude for everything you have accomplished, all that you have to be thankful for, and all that you can achieve.

Here are some things that you can be grateful for this Thanksgiving season.

1. You Are Alive

The first thing anyone should be thankful for on Thanksgiving is that you are still living and breathing. While this might sound cheesy, it's actually a big thing to be thankful for.

Many people who have struggled with addiction, unfortunately, end up losing their lives because of their disease. On top of this, the world has been faced with a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of millions of people over the last couple of years.

This Thanksgiving, you should be grateful for still having the chance to turn around your life - free of substances. Every single day is a blessing that should not be taken for granted.

2. You Have Reached Sobriety

It is always said that the hardest part of addiction recovery is the first step, which is admitting that you have a problem. Now that you are past that, you should be grateful that you have been strong enough to reach this stage in your recovery. Many other people struggle with reaching this milestone. While it does not really get easier, just believe that you can do it. Take your recovery one day at a time. Focus your energies on what you can do today, not worrying or even thinking about what will happen tomorrow.

3. You Can Be A Part of a Supportive Community

In addiction recovery, it is very important to have a support network. Whether it's with your friends, family, or people in your recovery groups, building healthy relationships can help you a lot in your new journey.

At this point, you may not be at that stage yet where you have rebuilt these relationships but don't look at it as a failure. Instead, be grateful that you still have an opportunity to start rebuilding relationships. If you do not have close friends and family, you can look for support groups in your local area or even online.

4. You Have the Opportunity to Give Back

No matter how your life is right now, you can still give back not only to those who have been there for you but also to those in your community. Whether this involves volunteering at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen.

Being able to give back is something that you should be grateful for because it does not only help other people, but it also gives you a sense of being and purpose. There is a satisfaction in knowing that in your own little way, you were able to make a difference for others.

5. You Can Experience Life with a Clearer Outlook

Being addicted to drugs and alcohol can muddle your brain. People who are always under the influence of such substances often have a hard time thinking clearly and making good decisions. This can ruin your career and your relationships. Now that you are in recovery, be thankful that you have the opportunity to face tomorrow with a clearer head. This also allows you to become more productive, pursue new life or career goals, and, most of all, start living a healthier, happier life.

Practicing Gratitude in Addiction Recovery

Thanksgiving in addiction recovery is not simply about giving thanks for everything you already have. It's much bigger than that. It can also be an opportunity to inspire gratitude and thanksgiving for all that you have yet to achieve in this new chapter in your life.

Be thankful for all that you can still accomplish and look forward to your future – one that is free from substances and full of possibilities.

If you are struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Anaheim Lighthouse today.