Many people who have experienced trauma or addiction can hold a lot of heavy and difficult emotions. Unfortunately, these emotions can get in the way of living a joyful and meaningful life. Managing anger will help you learn how to regulate your emotions effectively to uncover true success and happiness in recovery.
Difficult Emotions and Recovery
Anger and other tough emotions are a normal part of being human. According to a 2021 study in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, anger is usually considered to be “part of an adaptive emotional response triggered by environmental stimuli.” This emotional response is essential to “establishing quick and essential reactions to preserve life.”
However, anger can swiftly take control of you. It can cause you to make rash decisions or even act out in ways that you later regret. These difficult emotions are even more common if you’ve experienced trauma or substance use disorder (SUD).
Anger, Trauma, and Addiction
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “high levels of anger are related to a natural survival instinct.” When faced with an extreme threat, it’s common to respond in anger.
It’s also common for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to get “stuck” in anger. The VA says this may lead to “responding to all stress in survival mode.” Daily stressors, for example, may feel overwhelming because of the trauma you experienced earlier on.
Those with SUD can also experience a lot of anger. In fact, anger can also be linked to the actual substance use process itself. Many psychoactive substances, including heroin, cocaine, and alcohol, can alter your brain’s natural responses to stressful stimuli.
Managing Anger: Why It’s Important
Managing anger is crucial for finding success in recovery and leading a fulfilling life. It’s important to note that feeling anger doesn’t make you wrong or a bad person. In fact, anger is a common emotion that all people will experience often in their lives.
Anger can be used as a strong indicator to tell you what you no longer want or will tolerate in your life. This can help you create boundaries and form a deeper bond with your wants, needs, and desires.
Instead of avoiding anger and other difficult emotions, it’s important to learn how to manage them. With a little effort, you can learn how to feel through your feelings without lashing out or making situations worse.
Managing Anger: Practices and Tools
When anger or other difficult emotions arise, it’s important to have a plan of action so you can begin shifting the way you approach them. Learning how to manage your anger can also be a great tool in helping you form a stronger relationship with yourself.
We all operate in our own unique ways. Some people may have a shorter fuse, and that’s okay. The more you face your anger head-on, the more you’ll get to know what can help you live a more joyful life.
Pay Attention to Triggers
Anger is usually the product of an external event that triggered you. When you feel anger coming on, pay attention to the trigger that came before it. You may even want to take a few minutes to write down the trigger in your journal. This can help you pause before reacting.
Triggers can also be due to people in your life overstepping boundaries. It’s important to define what you will and will not tolerate, especially if you’re in recovery. If you know that a certain person or situation will trigger you, it’s best to avoid these things for your own peace of mind.
Use Practices to Stay Calm
Finding ways to relax is crucial when managing anger. Peaceful activities will have a profound effect on your life, especially if they’re done consistently.
Practices like meditation and yoga can create an overall sense of peace and wellness in your life. Many people who have experienced trauma or SUD have found wonderful benefits using these practices. They can help you stay calm, focus on the present moment, and feel through anger in a much more productive way.
Similar to meditation and yoga, the practice of breathwork can help you alleviate stress and process anger. This ancient Eastern therapy utilizes the breath to help you move difficult emotions out of your body. Breathwork can also give you more energy, help ease anxiety, and instill a deep sense of peace.
Move Your Body
Anger, like any other emotion, also lives as energy in your body. When you’re angry, you probably tense up, feel your heart race, and even begin to sweat. When you feel these effects happening, it’s a great idea to move your body instead. You may want to dance around, go for a jog, or even work out.
Consistent exercise can also help decrease the feelings of anger before they come on. Many people who exercise regularly often feel happier and more calm. This can allow you to not only process your anger when you feel it but also remove chronic anger from your life entirely.
Managing Anger Through Healing at The Guest House
Managing anger and other emotions can be difficult on your own. At The Guest House, we provide you with the right tools, therapies, and support to help you handle your emotions in an effective way.
Our trauma-specific program includes a blend of both traditional therapies and holistic modalities. Tried-and-true methods like talk therapy can give you an outlet for processing your anger with highly-trained therapists and peers who really understand you.
We also offer a wide range of therapies like meditation and conscious connected breathwork to help you reach your goals and find a sense of inner peace. At The Guest House, you will find everything you need to overcome your struggles and create a fulfilling life.
Managing anger can be difficult if you have experienced addiction and trauma. Even though it’s a common emotion, anger can get the best of you and lead you down a dark path. However, you can learn to regulate anger effectively. At The Guest House, our trauma-specific program provides you the tools and support you need to manage your anger and live a more peaceful life. We offer a cutting-edge blend of traditional therapies mixed with holistic modalities to help you heal your mind, body, and spirit in a comprehensive way. Here you can discover a renewed sense of joy in life and find lasting success in recovery. Call us at (855) 483-7800.