by Elliot Caleira
At some point, everyone experiences discouragement to some degree. It can be a disabling condition that overwhelms an individual and zaps mental, emotional, and physical strength. A discouraged person suffers from a feeling of despair and a complete loss of enthusiasm. Accepting the fact that becoming discouraged is a natural state of the human condition is the first step in overcoming it. Frustration, criticism, and rejection all contribute to feelings of discouragement. The key to avoiding discouragement in the first place is to set realistic expectations and to find your passion. Think of failure as a learning experience and focus on overcoming the obstacles that led to an unsuccessful event.
How to Overcome Discouragement
Set new goals and expectations and focus on positive ideas. Spend more time with positive people and avoid interacting with negative ones. Analyze the reasons for disappointment and develop a new strategy for the next time. Get motivated with new ideas and try to control the situations that lead to discouragement. Write down your thoughts in a journal to more easily see a pattern to what triggers disappointment and brainstorm ideas about how to control it. Find a mentor who will listen and offer encouragement. Look at the big picture and relax your expectations. This will lessen stress and anxiety that can contribute to disappointment.
Discouragement and Drug Addiction
When a person is addicted to drugs, it affects the entire family in a negative way. There is a very strong link between addiction and discouragement for everyone associated with a substance abuser. There are positive feelings of hope for recovery when the addict decides to make the commitment to become drug free. Family and friends may find themselves expecting big changes and sometimes become discouraged when this does not happen immediately. The professionals at drug rehabs focus on treating the unique needs of each person in a safe, healing environment.
Reasons for Discouragement during Recovery
It is sometimes difficult for substance abusers to come to terms with the fact that addiction is a disease and must be treated as such. They may feel a sense of guilt because of the negative path their lives have taken. They feel bad about the effect their addiction has had on their families and friends. Discouragement can result from the belief that they cannot function without drugs and cannot picture themselves living a drug free life.
Importance of Recovery Support
Many feelings of discouragement for substance abusers and their families come from unrealistic expectations. It is important for both to remember that it takes time, hard work, and focus to change addictive behaviors. It is unrealistic to think that recovery happens instantly, but making the decision to enter and complete the program can change lives. Temporary setbacks can be expected and should not be a cause for concern. Understanding the steps they must follow to achieve recovery can reduce the chances of becoming discouraged.
Importance of Setting Realistic Goals
Recovery is not a simple process. It requires a tremendous amount of focus and hard work that may seem overwhelming. It is important to set easily attainable goals in the beginning and focus on the desired outcome. Realizing that there will be struggles along the way prevents feelings of discouragement on the road to recovery. Negative thoughts can creep into the mind and cause discouragement, if mental and emotional issues have not been addressed.It takes courage and focus to overcome an addiction. Family and friends can help by providing support during the recovery process. Setting realistic goals and expectations and embracing small successes reduces the possibility of feelings of discouragement.
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