Recovery can be a tiring process that can eventually result in a loss of motivation. This phenomenon, often called “recovery fatigue,” can lead clients to become stagnant. To avoid stagnation and relapse, clients should express these feelings of fatigue and stagnation. When clients discuss this fatigue openly, they can then better work through these feelings and keep progressing in their sobriety journey.
Healing from recovery fatigue can be done in a number of ways. At First Steps Recovery, we provide clients with an array of services to include in their treatment plans in order to keep the process exciting. Armed with a variety of options, clients can work through recovery fatigue in a productive way.
What Is Recovery Fatigue?
it is normal to experience fatigue or stagnation with recovery. Recovery fatigue can occur in any client. Clients often experience this fatigue due to the extensive cognitive and emotional work involved in the recovery process. Some people may experience this fatigue later in their recovery journey due to feeling overwhelmed or unproductive with their treatment. Others may experience recovery fatigue due to their withdrawal symptoms early on in treatment. Fatigue is also very common in clients experiencing protracted withdrawal, which can occur for a prolonged period after detoxification.
Recovery fatigue can coexist with irritability, frustration, or anxiety. Clients often experience these feelings because of the effort they are putting into their treatment. Consistently engaging in healing services, talk therapy, and deep inner healing work can extract a lot of energy from clients. Because of this, it is important to recognize signs of fatigue. A person may notice that they are simply going through the motions and not reaping progressive benefits from treatment. Addressing recovery fatigue is essential, as losing energy and motivation in recovery can potentially lead to relapse.
Regaining Motivation in the Recovery Journey
Working through recovery fatigue can be done in multiple ways. The most common way is to use more relaxation techniques, including taking breaks from therapy. For those in addiction recovery, taking a break can start by discussing their concerns with one’s team. Together they may be able to find ways to incorporate less tasking treatment methods into one’s recovery plan.
Clients can also experiment with new treatment services that may fit their current needs. Sticking to strict clinical approaches in addiction recovery can increase fatigue as time goes on. It is also important to discover and try new services as applicable to one’s treatment as many of these approaches can be incorporated into one’s daily routine. These are often more holistic options that are focused on mind-body-spirit healing. While inner work can lead to fatigue, these services are often more creative and exciting for clients to involve themselves in.
Overall, regaining motivation and persisting past recovery fatigue is possible. Taking breaks and trying different services to aid recovery are beneficial tools in this process. Persistence helps clients steer away from worsening stress levels or frustration because of this fatigue. Generally, keeping recovery an exciting and inviting process helps a person remain committed to sobriety long-term.
How to Navigate Recovery Fatigue at First Steps Recovery
Navigating recovery fatigue at First Steps Recovery is a supported process. A client’s team works with them on a personal level to fully understand the level and severity of the fatigue. Through open and honest dialogue paired with holistic care, First Steps Recovery implements strategies to push past these blocks. The holistic options that may be introduced include yoga therapy, music therapy, art therapy, recreation, trips and outings, horseback riding, wilderness experiences, and general health and wellness improvements. Holistic services can act as both relaxation and evocative approaches to recovery.
Relaxation Services Relieve Recovery Fatigue
Relaxation services can include yoga therapy and outdoor-based activities. In yoga therapy, an instructor guides clients to engage in controlled breathing, strengthening, and flexibility to improve concentration and patience. Sometimes clients experience recovery fatigue because of their frustration in not seeing immediate results in recovery. Yoga therapy helps clients take their journey slowly in a mindful way, bringing more peace and relaxation into their treatment plans.
Outdoor Therapies Ease Recovery Fatigue
Outdoor therapies, including wilderness experiences and trips and outings, help clients experience life and nature without the presence of alcohol or substances. This is important as it brings a more mindful approach to clients.
Creative Therapies Can Bring Joy to Recovery
The more creative, exciting holistic services are art and music therapies. Art and music therapies bring a more expressive outlet into treatment, allowing clients to express themselves through creative means. This can support recovery fatigue as it redirects one’s attention away from strict clinical therapy. Creative therapies offer people a way to explore themselves and express their uniqueness in new ways.
The staff at First Steps Recovery understands that recovery fatigue is common and that holistic options may or may not address this completely. Either way, each client’s team is there to help and support them in any way they may need.
Here at First Steps Recovery, our staff recognizes that recovery fatigue often develops in clients. Whether it’s due to withdrawal or feeling stagnant or impatient in the recovery process, fatigue is common. If you’re experiencing this, you can regain motivation by reaching out to your support system. At our facility, we at First Steps Recovery offer a number of holistic services that address fatigue. Some clients may need exciting new approaches implemented into their treatment plans. Art and music therapies can meet this need as they bring a more explorative and creative outlet to clients. For those in need of more of a break or relaxation during treatment, yoga or outdoor-based therapies can help. Call (844) 489-0836 for more information.
