Anger is an emotion that is commonly associated with addiction. When you become angry, you may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with your anger. Mental health treatment programs are designed to help you become aware of your anger and manage it effectively. You cannot stop anger. However, you can choose how to deal with anger in recovery.

One of the first ways to deal with anger is to ask yourself why you are angry. Are you dealing with a situation at home or work that defies your expectations or beliefs? Has someone disappointed you with their behavior? Has life not turned out the way you planned? Whatever the reason for your anger, it is important to become aware of your emotion and manage your anger in recovery at Atlanta Detox Center.

Why Do You Become Angry?

To deal with anger, you must first understand what triggers your emotion. During your individual therapy program or group therapy program, you may start to explore the roots of anger. It may surprise you to discover that your anger comes from within. In other words, you must no longer believe the lie that somebody else makes you angry.

True, people behave in ways that may defy your expectations or beliefs. However, what causes your anger is your reaction to someone’s behavior, not the behavior itself. This does not excuse the other person’s behavior. Instead, you become more aware of where the anger comes from so that you can manage it. Your focus is inward, not on the other person. When you understand why you become angry, you can control your emotion.

Recognize the Consequences of Your Anger

One way to deal with anger in recovery is to recognize the consequences of your anger. For instance, one of your anger consequences is that you drank a lot, became an alcoholic, and needed help at a drug and alcohol detox center. There are other consequences of anger, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Conflict in your relationships
  • Getting fired from your job
  • Harming someone else physically
  • Anxiety or depression

Anger can make you feel superior to others. You may even feel justified in your anger or how you reacted in a situation. However, your anger can cause you to say or do things that hurt others. Eventually, you alienate everyone around you. If you cannot control your temper, you may lose your job or develop a reputation for being an angry person. The consequence of anger can be far-reaching and take years to heal from.

How to Deal with Anger in Recovery

You can deal with anger in recovery in several ways, but it starts with acknowledging you have anger issues. Like any other problem in your life, you must first recognize that you have a problem with anger. You must also own your anger and realize how your anger is hurting others. This is a significant step in addiction recovery.

Talk About Your Anger

One of the reasons why you get angry is because you may not talk about your anger. Getting angry and yelling is different from sharing your feelings with others. Therapy offers you an opportunity to talk about the things that make you angry and why you cannot control your temper. Feel free to talk about your anger during your individual and group sessions.

Learn Anger Management Skills

Addiction treatment therapies are designed to help you manage your emotions in difficult situations. One of the most effective types of therapy is dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). During DBT, you learn to navigate tough situations by controlling your emotions. DBT is especially effective in helping you keep healthy relationships.

Contact Atlanta Detox Center for Addiction Treatment

If you would like to learn more about how to manage anger in recovery, then contact Atlanta Detox Center at 470-450-2355. We provide mental health treatment for all types of mental disorders and addictions. You can get the treatment you need to get on the path to recovery.

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