How To Cope With Grief and Loss Without Turning To Destructive Habits

The loss of a loved one is one of most stressful events that you can face in life, and you should expect to go through a grieving process that involves a wide range of emotions. Although your life will never be the same, learning to cope with your grief in positive ways allows you to move forward without turning to destructive habits. As you begin to work through your emotions, use these strategies to emerge from the grieving process as a stronger person who is capable of looking back at the past with fond memories.

Understand the Impact of Grief

The grieving process involves multiple stages, and you may find that you move from one to another without any real reason. For example, you may find yourself feeling angry one minute and then numb the next. You may also be struggling with guilt if you feel that you didn’t spend enough time with your loved one, or you may feel an odd sense of relief if they experienced a lingering illness and you are glad that they are at peace. Simply put, there is no right or wrong way to feel right now. However, you do need to monitor yourself for signs that you are struggling with coping with grief such as realizing that you are turning to drugs or alcohol to avoid dealing with painful emotions.

Know Your Options For Seeking Addiction Treatment

At times, grief sends people into a downward spiral that involves falling into an addiction. If you’ve struggled with addiction in the past, then be aware that you are at risk for a relapse. You could also develop a new addiction if you turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to make it through the day. If this happens, be aware that it is not your fault. There are also plenty of ways to seek help. If you live in Miami, for example, a South Florida rehab center can teach you positive strategies for overcoming grief and loss such as talking to counselors or engaging in recreational therapy that help you to move forward while also ending your addiction.

Find Positive Ways to Express Your Emotions

Emotional reactions such as anger and overwhelming sadness are normal during this time, but you must find healthy ways to express them. For some people, exercising is an outlet for anger. Alternatively, you may just need to sit down and have a good, long cry. Journaling, talking to a friend and listening to music are other healthy ways to vent your emotions. Try experimenting until you find what works best for you. Even giving yourself small to-dos which you check off for small wins everyday can make a huge difference mentally. For example, having an interlock system in your car may seem like a hassle but everytime you pass your test and go about driving it's a win and makes you feel great about staying on the right path.

Be Willing to Seek Professional Therapy

Although it can take up to a year or more to fully grieve the loss of someone you love, you should notice that it gets easier over time. If you feel as though each day is just as hard as the one before, then you are at risk for turning to destructive habits. Therapy and counseling services can take several different forms. For example, you could go to individual counseling where you talk about your specific circumstances during a one-on-one meeting with a professional counselor. Alternatively, you could go to group therapy sessions where you can meet other people who are working through grief and loss. Either way, make sure to talk to a professional when you feel as though you are losing control.

When you experience the unthinkable, you must take time to take care of yourself. By understanding how important it is to lean on the support of others, you can make it through this difficult time and look forward to the day when you feel better again.

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