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Why Do I Feel So Angry about Everything That’s Happened to Me?

man talks with therapist about feelings of anger

As you begin working closely with your therapist on some of the root causes of your addiction and other concerns you’ve had in your life, it’s not uncommon for you to experience a “rollercoaster” of emotions. Many people in addiction recovery struggle with substances because it’s a way for them to drown out some of the pain they’re going through – but by doing this, they only further push down those thoughts and feelings, and, in therapy, that’s when they tend to come out. Anger is a very strong emotion that is typically secondary to something else, such as sadness, fear, hurt, etc. It’s completely natural to feel angry about everything you’ve gone through – including your addiction. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse emphasized that many people in recovery already experienced anger well before they sought help; in fact, those with high levels of anger are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. Sometimes a person is more prone to anger naturally, while other times they’ve either learned to be angry from those around them or they’re genuinely outraged by certain events that have occurred throughout their lifetime. Part of the recovery process is identifying the roots of your anger and working through those roots – to heal and move forward with your life. We can’t change the past, but we can do something about the present moment – and in your treatment program, you’ll be given so many beautiful opportunities to work through some of these difficult emotions so that you can begin to flourish. An article published by Very Well Mind, a website that posts relatable content on mental health, addiction recovery and more, expressed that despite how anger is acquired, it’s not beneficial to us  if we’re only re-experiencing pain from events of the past. Effective coping skills can allow us to work through our anger in healthy ways so that we don’t have to hold onto this particular pain in such an unhealthy way.  

Arbor Behavioral Healthcare offers an integrative and holistic approach to treat substance abuse and a wide variety of addictions, as well as underlying mental health and psychological issues. All of the addiction recovery programs offered by The Arbor are designed to heal the mind, body, and spirit leading to a lifetime of sobriety, health and wellness. If you’re ready to find healing and restoration in a peaceful, loving environment, please call us today at 844-560-7269.