The Addicted Mind Podcast
TAM+ EP 56: Episode Why Letting Go of Addiction Feels Like Losing a Best Friend
Feb 13, 2025
Ever felt guilty for missing your addiction? You're not alone. Letting go can feel like losing a best friend, even if that friend was hurting you. This discussion delves into the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—during the recovery journey. It highlights the importance of understanding what you're truly grieving, whether it's substances, rituals, or identity. With practical strategies and community support, listeners discover that missing an addiction doesn’t signify weakness; it’s a human experience.
24:12
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Quick takeaways
- Letting go of addiction can evoke grief similar to losing a best friend, as it represents a significant emotional loss.
- Understanding and processing the five stages of grief in recovery helps individuals navigate their conflicting feelings without shame.
Deep dives
Understanding Loss and Grief in Recovery
Letting go of addiction often involves a profound sense of loss and grief, akin to losing a close friend. Many individuals in recovery grapple with the conflicting emotions of knowing their addiction is harmful yet still longing for the comfort it provided. This emotional turmoil can lead to feelings of guilt, as they wonder if wanting their addiction back makes them a bad person. Recognizing that these feelings are a normal part of the recovery process can help individuals see they are not alone in their experiences of grief.
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