Having a sense of purpose can help you in many ways, including improving mental health and long-term recovery. However, finding purpose is a task that can be very difficult. At Laguna Shores Recovery Center, we understand that finding your purpose can help you to stay on the path of recovery by improving you decreasing depression symptoms and improving overall well-being. If you feel that you do not currently have or know your purpose, that is okay. You can improve your awareness to identify a deeper purpose that you authentically connect with. 

Finding Purpose

When you are facing addiction, your brain is hijacked to orient you toward continual drug or alcohol use. This often means abandoning other aspects of your life that are important to you, including purpose. However, even if you have lost your sense of purpose or direction, you can find it again. 

The first step to finding purpose is to increase your awareness. Therapies like motivational interviewing (MI) can help you to identify and find deep motivation. While motivation and purpose differ, learning about what motivates you can help you to discover what is important to you. As you identify your core values, you get a better feeling for what your goals and purpose are. 

Once you have gotten an idea of the direction to look, the next step in finding purpose is trying things out and exploring. This might look like spending time doing different activities or reorienting your life in a direction you think will help you feel purposeful. However, you may not find your sense of purpose right away, and that is alright. It takes time to discover your inner compass and even more to try out different things to see what is fulfilling for you. 

Benefits of Finding Purpose in Recovery

Getting treatment for addiction is a time in your life when you pause and take a look at your life. While this is very challenging and unpleasant at times, there are many benefits to taking the time to find purpose. Finding purpose can help you decrease your risk of depression, improve your well-being and emotional regulation, and ultimately improve your long-term recovery outcome. 

Depression

Symptoms of depression and clinical depression, a mental health disorder, are commonly found with addiction. Getting treatment for both depression and addiction is possible and important for your recovery to be successful. Many aspects of recovery can impact depression, including having a purpose. 

Researchers have found that if you have a purpose, you are less likely to experience depression symptoms. While many theories exist, it is believed that having a purpose can protect you from the stress of negative events. It acts like a buffer that provides direction and support as you move through tough times. Therefore, over time you are more likely to be motivated to heal and move forward in recovery. 

Well-Being

The term well-being encompasses many parts of your life, including mental and physical health. However, it generally describes positive self-regard, relationships with others, and the sense of being able to succeed. Overall, your well-being is how you feel daily and is, therefore, incredibly important in recovery. 

Finding purpose is important for your well-being, as having a purpose is linked to your future health and wellness. When you have a purpose, you have a decreased mortality rate and a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Additionally, it is connected to many other health markers. Therefore, finding purpose can help more than your mental health, but your overall well-being. 

Emotional Regulation

Being able to regulate your emotions is very important in recovery. When you can manage your emotions, you are more likely to have stronger relationships, a better support network, and be more able to manage cravings. Many factors play into emotional regulation, one of which is having a purpose. Having a purpose can help you to have a deep motivating reason to regulate your emotions. For example, if your purpose is surrounding family, you are motivated to manage your emotions to maintain and protect them and your relationship with them. 

Finding Purpose: Is It Possible?

When you have or are struggling with addiction, it is normal to wonder if it is possible to find purpose. Yes, it is helpful and important to have a purpose in recovery, but you might wonder if you can do it. While you might doubt it, you can find your purpose. 

Through treatment for addiction and mental health disorders, you can work with professionals who will help you to navigate through your thoughts and emotions. As you delve into yourself, you will slowly discover that you are capable and have values that will help you to stay sober. It takes work to find purpose. However, you can make these changes, follow your purpose, and learn how to live a life free of drugs and alcohol with the help of Laguna Shores Recovery Center.

It is common when facing addiction to lose your sense of self. However, finding purpose is very important and will help you to improve your recovery outcome. At Laguna Shores Recovery Center, we understand that self-discovery and healing from addiction is a challenging journey. However, we believe that everyone is capable of making these changes, discovering their purpose, and successfully recovering from addiction. Our programs offer a unique blend of treatments where you can address your wounds and learn more about who you are and who you want to be. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, we can help. Call Laguna Shores Recovery today at 954-688-5806 to learn more about our programs.