Source: Finish Line (8049578776).jpg/ Wikimedia Commons/

Recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) is an ongoing process and those fortunate to have long-term recovery share one thing in common—an ability and willingness to recommit.

Many individuals get sober and expect life to go their way—a reward, in a sense, for their “good” behavior. However, that is not generally what happens. Based on the self-medication theory, individuals often report that they sometimes feel worse or have underlying situational or mental health issues to cope with before feeling better.(1) While this may seem unfair, it can be a blessing in disguise, as it can increase the intrinsic motivation to remain sober.

For example, Joe gets sober and then receives a new job, a romantic relationship, and everything external in his life takes a positive turn. Inevitably, a negative situation will arise and he may feel that he is no longer being rewarded for his efforts. In contrast, individuals who remain sober despite initial difficulties may be able to increase their distress tolerance and associate recovery with slow internal growth instead of dramatic external rewards. It does not matter what the conditions are in early sobriety for an individual—positive or negative, because challenges will eventually arise. It is imperative to learn how to deal with the good, bad, and indifferent waves that roll and crash through life.

Initially, getting sober may feel exciting, new, and fresh and an individual may feel better mentally and physically. However, this “pink cloud,” as it is sometimes referred to by individuals in recovery, will wear off and the reality of this lifelong venture will set in. The recovery process itself may start to feel mundane and tedious. Therefore, it is recommended to have sober peer interpersonal supports in place as well as clinical help for co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and other underlying mood symptoms.

The Recovery Wellness Plan from the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, Recovery Coach Academy establishes seven dimensions of recovery wellness. These include: physical, environmental, spiritual, emotional/psychological, intellectual, occupational, and social.(2) These life domains can be a helpful way to conceptualize the recovery lifestyle. They also provide clear areas to explore and to create SMART goals. S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. This type of goal-setting can be part of the “re-commitment” process.(3)

Some common areas of motivation loss are:

• Attending mental health care treatment as recommended
• Exercising
• Obtaining proper sleep
• Maintaining balanced nutrition
• Attending regular mutual-help meetings (A.A., SHE RECOVERS, SMART Recovery, Dharma Recovery, Women for Sobriety, etc.)
• Staying in contact with sober peers
• Abstaining from other possibly addictive behaviors (i.e., shopping, sex, gambling)
• Taking medications as prescribed
• Being honest
• Pursuing spiritual practice
• Following through with daily responsibilities (i.e., work, paying bills, chores)
• Giving back to others, volunteering
• Involvement in healthy relationships (friendships, family, and romantic)

Those in long-term recovery will report that they have had periods when they lacked motivation in one or more domains. Recovery is not about perfection, it is about having the honesty and willingness to determine what shifts need to be made and recommitting—over and over again. Pride and overconfidence can become barriers to the humility needed to admit that change is needed. Reaching out for help and talking with therapists and members of a sober support network about these challenges is crucial—for no one needs to be alone on this journey.