How to Replace Addiction With a New Passion

September 5, 2018 - Life in Recovery - 0 Comments

A big part of my early recovery from addiction revolved around finding an activity that could feed the need that led me down the road to addiction in the first place. While I’d like to say I switched gears as smoothly as a brand new Porsche, I can tell you that this leg of my sober journey was paved with unexpected rewards.

The Hunt Begins

Despite my couch potato status, I decided to give exercise a try. I joined a group of recovering addicts who worked out together at a local gym three times a week.

I learned that in addition to reducing the stress and anxiety I was experiencing, exercise helped my recovery from addiction by improving my mood and by increasing the natural dopamine levels in my brain. It wasn’t quite the euphoria of a drug high, but it definitely helped. And I liked the idea of taking better care of myself.

However, I never found myself becoming particularly passionate about it as some of my counterparts had. I eventually decided that while it was a positive change in my life that I wanted to hold onto, I still needed find something that really ignited my passion, a healthy obsession, if you will.

Rekindling An Old Flame

I started thinking about the activities that made me happy before heroin became my best friend and worst enemy. I had done a lot of crafting back in the day, so I decided to get back into it, maybe even earn a second income by selling my wares.

It was great fun at first. I had forgotten how content I was while creating things and how rewarding it was to surprise my loved ones with handmade gifts. My mistake was trying to turn it into a business. I was barely breaking even and beginning to feel trapped by own deadlines.

I needed to find something that was going to catapult me out of bed in the morning, something that would give me a purpose for my life.

Finding My Passion

Clearly, this quest was going to involve more than simply identifying my interests. I had heard about the Myers Briggs personality test and decided to start there.

I was attracted to this study, because it offered me more insight than just a generic personality-type test. This one would show me how I, personally, perceive the world around me and explain how my individual results outlines my needs and motivations.

I learned that while I enjoy associating with and helping others, I am still basically an introvert. I prefer my interactions with others to be of substance, of quality over quantity, and I need a significant amount of time alone to recharge my batteries. And I very much enjoy learning new things and to dive deep into subjects of interest.

I Am So Much More Than My Addiction

I sat down and looked at what I had to work with. I remembered how much I enjoyed book report assignments in high school, I had a good laugh when I realized that I would love to be a professional student.

Then it hit me. Why not write? I could use the sum of my life experience to help others, and the internet is able to support any topic I’d want to research.

While I didn’t quit my day job right away, my goal got me out of bed in the morning with enthusiasm. After a few years, I became a full-time writer, and my place in this world has been firmly established. Having found my passion, I am no longer defined by my addiction.

If you or a loved-one needs help, please contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today. We are happy to provide a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our professional and experienced treatment advisors. Help is available today.