Why Learning to Trust in Recovery Takes Patience

Learning to trust in recovery is not a one-size-fits-all approach, nor can it happen overnight. Most people in recovery struggle with this, but it is healthy to wrestle with ways to learn how to trust oneself and others.

It’s easier said than done, but the past is in the past. There is no going back. Carrying the weight of pain and suffering can only lead to more heartache and pain. People can learn how to make decisions a little easier with increased self-confidence. Assessing what is holding a person back from success helps when looking at why the past was challenging, what to take into the future, and what to leave behind. Build on positive successes rather than focus on past failures.

Jumping into recovery from addiction can bring lots of positive and negative feelings to the surface. People either are excited and want to do everything or are scared and unsure how to proceed. The best thing to do is to slowly embrace recovery and proceed with caution. One achievement leads to another. Successful building blocks mean looking at each victory as a successful milestone. It can be anything from a meaningful conversation about sobriety to meeting new people and seeing how this translates into positive help moving forward.

Overcoming cravings, not getting triggered by the same things, and moving ahead in life can be great, but it can also be a challenge. In whatever way a person defines success, they should make note of it and look for ways to use it to build trust in themselves and their abilities. Trust is not just about honesty but also about learning to do the right thing for oneself.

Stigma is no joke. It can derail recovery if people don’t ask for help when they need it. Recovery is hard enough. Don’t be afraid to step out in faith and ask for help from those around you—more open lines of communication at home. Speak to a sponsor. Reach out to others who seem to understand. The opportunity to do great things is right before people, but they stop themselves because they don’t trust their instinct to reach out. Give time and space. It may be easier than you feel but don’t think whether it is easier or harder right now. The advice you receive is important, but learning to trust oneself to ask for what is needed is critical.

Nothing ever happens sitting around. You can move forward one step at a time. Trust in recovery only happens by building confidence in doing so. It may not seem like much, but self-doubt can harm people’s ability to move forward. Actions may not have been trustworthy in the past, but they are now. Make conscious decisions to learn how to trust others and let others in. Get moving in a forward direction with trust. Don’t let it put a stop to everything.

Some people are good at making decisions, while others cannot. Recovery is a lifesaver for many because it identifies where they need the most help. Some goals that were helpful to look at five years ago could be more practical now. Recovery highlights all the areas that need work. Think of some goals to include in the long term.

Once a handful of goals are identified, start to prioritize. Accomplish goals as markers of success to add trust. It is a process of building trust over time. It is good to include others. This is a crucial recovery step and should be the priority.

Recovery is difficult, but there are times when trust cannot be restored quickly. It is hard to regain the trust lost with oneself or others. Learning how to build trust with oneself and others can take a toll. The fact that a person has many options and has to decide is evidence that trust is restarting. Looking around at available options, weighing them out, and asking for advice on how to proceed means you seek new territory. It takes time to get here. It takes time to move towards action.

People may not trust you because they have difficulty trusting your instincts and abilities since you may not have been trustworthy under addiction. There is hope and healing available. It comes in the form of asking forgiveness from others and offering it to oneself. Build trust if you want to keep working on this over time.

You are the one doing the work in recovery. Even with the help of others, you have the power to make positive changes and move forward. Take things one day at a time and remind yourself that trust in recovery takes time. See the positive side of the situation and don’t linger on old thoughts or feelings. People may not be ready to forgive you but be prepared to forgive yourself and offer it to them when and if they become ready.