Happiness
A feeling of satisfaction and ease that arises when you feel at peace with your current situation in recovery.
Contentment
The emotional experience of isolation, often felt when navigating recovery without the support system you wish for.
Lonely
A feeling of irritation or helplessness when recovery doesn’t progress as expected, often leading to impatience with yourself or others.
Frustration
A state of worry or unease, especially when concerned about the possibility of relapse or managing new life situations in recovery.
Anxious
A feeling of shock or surprise that is often caused by something unexpected or extraordinary. It implies a sense of being taken aback or overwhelmed by something that is hard to believe.
Astonished
A positive emotional state that occurs when you recognize and celebrate your progress and achievements in recovery.
Proud
The feeling of remorse for past actions or behavior, especially when reflecting on the consequences of addiction.
Guilt
A sense of resentment or holding onto past wrongs, especially toward people or situations tied to your addiction.
Bitter
The feeling of unease or nervousness about the future, particularly when taking steps into unfamiliar aspects of recovery.
Apprehensive
The emotional state of being disoriented or uncertain, particularly when faced with new experiences or triggers that you’re unprepared for in recovery.
Confused
The feeling of being fully charged and motivated, especially after making progress or accomplishing recovery goals.
Energetic
The sensation of emotional void, often felt when someone has removed substance use but still struggles with an emotional emptiness in recovery.
Empty
A tendency to judge or be harsh toward yourself or others, which may arise during moments of anger in recovery.
Critical
A lack of self-confidence, often experienced when dealing with vulnerability and uncertainty in recovery.
Insecure
A strong emotional reaction to something unexpected, like hearing about someone’s relapse or realizing a significant aspect of your recovery journey.
Shocked
The sense of fulfillment and achievement experienced when major recovery milestones are reached.
Successful
A state of emotional exposure, especially when confronting the fears and weaknesses tied to past addictive behaviors.
Vulnerable
The intense emotional response of anger that might escalate into hostility or a strong desire to take action against perceived wrongs.
Aggressive
A heightened fear, often when feeling at risk of relapse or when external pressures seem too much to handle.
Threatened
The inability to accept a reality, often seen in someone who is having a hard time recognizing their own progress in recovery.
Disbelieving
A feeling of positive expectation, where you look forward to the future with confidence, believing that recovery will continue to improve your life.
Hopeful
A deep sense of hopelessness that can occur when someone feels overwhelmed by their past mistakes or challenges in recovery.
Despair
A powerful and intense feeling of anger, often experienced when recovery feels unfairly difficult or when external challenges arise unexpectedly.
Furious
A fear of being judged or vulnerable, particularly when revealing personal struggles during recovery, such as in therapy or support groups.
Exposed
The feeling of awe or admiration when you look at your progress in recovery, particularly after a challenging period of change.
Amazed