The length of time and symptoms that occur with addiction recovery fatigue can vary depending on the individual. Addiction recovery fatigue refers to the feelings of chronic exhaustion and malaise in individuals that are recovering from addiction, which can be brought on by not using drugs and/or alcohol.
This form of fatigue can be emotionally and physically draining, as well as difficult to diagnose and treat. The longer addiction recovery fatigue goes untreated, the more it can affect those that are in recovery. To get to the root of this type of fatigue, it is necessary to first understand its causes and symptoms.
When it comes to recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, it is not an easy process. Many people experience strong cravings for drugs or alcohol even after they have stopped using substances for months or years.
These cravings are often difficult to resist because the brain has been altered by prolonged substance abuse, so it is important to avoid temptation at all costs.
It is also difficult to maintain abstinence in today’s society where we are surrounded by advertising that tempts us with images of alcohol and smoking everywhere we look. Also, many of our social activities revolve around going out and drinking alcohol which can make it hard to refuse when someone offers you a drink.
Symptoms of Addiction Recovery Fatigue
Some people experience a lack of motivation or enthusiasm for anything during their recovery period. When this feeling persists, or oftentimes lingers, it is known as addiction recovery fatigue.
The length of time that addiction recovery fatigue lasts can vary depending on the individual. However, there are some common symptoms and causes of this type of fatigue.
These include:
- A sense of numbness, apathy, and inactivity even if they have been sober for months or years
- A debilitating depression
- Inability to get out of bed to do daily tasks
- Social isolation because they don’t want to be around people who use drugs and alcohol and end up feeling tempted themselves
An important thing to remember is that addiction recovery fatigue is a natural part of the healing process after prolonged substance abuse, so try not to worry about your symptoms too much and try your best to stay positive.
If you continue experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks, it might be worth talking with your doctor or another healthcare professional about what might be causing them.
Causes of Addiction Recovery Fatigue
In terms of the specific causes of addiction recovery fatigue, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, not everyone who undergoes recovery for their addiction will suffer from this symptom.
Secondly, the feelings associated with addiction recovery fatigue are likely to be more severe during periods of intense craving or increased stress. This can be caused by an absence of fulfilling relationships with family members or friends as well as feeling disconnected from your previous life before going through rehab.
These feelings could also be caused by depression or anxiety that is associated with past trauma that you experienced while under the influence. Or even when you have been abstinent for a long period of time and are still having to fight cravings for drugs or alcohol.
Lastly, addiction recovery fatigue could be caused by sleep deprivation which often occurs when you’re trying to recover from addiction, combined with the feeling of being overwhelmed by what is going on in your life at any given moment. All of these different factors contribute to the amount of time that addiction recovery fatigue can last for any one person.
Treatment for Addiction Recovery Fatigue
Individuals who have been recovering from addiction for a long period of time may experience the stress and malaise that is often associated with addiction recovery fatigue. This type of exhaustion typically occurs because the person has become accustomed to focusing so much of their energy on trying to stay sober, that they no longer know how to function without doing so.
They also may feel powerless over their addictive behaviors and the things they used to enjoy in life due to feelings of guilt or shame that stem from their previous addictions.
Addiction recovery fatigue can be addressed by participating in activities that bring joy and meaning back into one’s life while being mindful not to overextend oneself in order to avoid relapse. Spending more quality time with friends and family members is always an excellent way to keep the mind off of negative thoughts.
It might also be beneficial to start taking small breaks every day in order to provide relief for muscles that are sore from anxiety-driven stress. Although addiction recovery fatigue is natural for many people who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol at some point during their lives, it does not mean that it cannot be prevented or treated with the proper care and maintenance.
At Maryland Addiction Recovery Center, We Help You Stay Hopeful On Your Journey to Recovery
Addiction recovery fatigue can be a difficult process to go through especially after you have just made it through recovery. There is no set timeline for how long the effects of addiction recovery fatigue last because everyone has different needs when they’re trying to recover from their substance abuse problem.
It is important to seek help when you feel like you need it most, so you don’t lose hope on your journey to sobriety. Reach out to the experts at Maryland Addiction Recovery Center to learn more about our treatment programs for all types of substance abuse disorders.
If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or co-occurring disorder issues, please give us a call. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive dual diagnosis addiction treatment in the Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or your loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (866) 929-2159 or email our team at info@marylandaddictionrecovery.com. For more information on all of our drug addiction, alcohol addiction and co-occurring disorder services and recovery resources, please visit our website at www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com.