Managing Anger

Anger is often the most common side effect of substance abuse and addiction disorders. On the contrary, anger issues also can cause people resort to substance abuse and alcoholism as a coping mechanism. Children who grow up in an atmosphere of aggressive behaviours, domestic violence and partner abuse are more prone to have anger issues during their adulthood.

Although anger is considered a healthy emotion, addicts have a hard time coping with anger in a healthy way. For example, during a certain situation if a healthy individual reacts with a little anger, someone who abuses himself with alcohol may react with unduly aggressive anger resulting in self- harm or harm to others. Often aggression and anger are co-dependent. Hence it is imperative that both the conditions have to be treated simultaneously.

While anger and substance abuse are inter-related, this combination can worsen the condition of someone who uses drugs and alcohol. In response to this anger, people can develop physical and mental disorders and eventually land up in emotional conditions such as nervous breakdowns, depressions and anxiety.

At Phoenix Rehabilitation Centre, anger disorders can be treated with proper care and monitoring at rehabilitation centres combination of psychotherapy, behavioural therapy and medication which have proven to yield the best results thus far. Though there are several classes of medication used to treat anger disorders, atypical antipsychotics such as Abilify, Invega etc. are the preferred line of treatment.

Though there are several treatment options available out there, it is the willingness and motivation of the concerned individual that puts him on the fastest road to recovery.

Proactive anger management Techniques

Denying anger can result in frustration, aggression and hopelessness affecting various areas of one’s life. Choosing to cope with anger is the only difference between a healthy and unhealthy lifestyle. While there are many ways to cope with anger, the below mentioned are the most proven.

Meditation

Guided meditation can help us better identify and manage our emotions and triggers. Anger is typically the aggression associated with rage, resentment and frustration. In anger people tend to react rather than respond. The instructors in guided meditation programs help us to slow down our emotions and react to the situations or people in a much healthier manner.

Learning to be Assertive

Assertiveness is a balance in communication that addicts lack and need desperately. Assertiveness is nothing but being able to stand up for oneself without being aggressive or manipulative. Assertiveness helps in putting one’s point across without causing emotional harm. That is why it is known as the ideal mode of communication

Assertiveness helps addicts and substance abusers get their needs met without much effort. This ensures improvement of confidence which is the key to recovery.

Being in touch with a loved one

Friends and loved ones are significant in the process of an addict’s recovery. Whereas the availability of therapists and doctors is limited due to professional boundaries, talking to a friend or a loved one in times of distress can better help one to get a listening ear and a proper advice at the right time. Talking to loved ones has been proven as an amazing coping mechanism among people who suffer from anger. While friends can guide sufferers of anger and confusion into clarity and liberty, establishing healthy boundaries is advisable for both the parties.

Journaling one’s feelings

Journaling of emotions is an important aspect of understanding one’s own state of mind, the triggers and anger nuisances. Keeping a track of what and when the person is suffering from anger can help one work effectively on unnecessary aggression and reaction to trivial situations.

Journaling also increases hope by tracking the progress of recovery and provides an insight into the amount of effort being put or that needs to be put for a faster recovery thereby.

Humour

Using humour for releasing tension is one wonderful way to cope with anger. The benefits of resorting to humour range from increased energy levels to better connections to keeping negative reactions at bay to increasing the quality of health. Resorting to humour in times of anger not only deviates the mind but also keeps one busy with many people that are attracted to this humorous person.

Exercising

Exercising regularly not only keeps us in shape while increasing our self-confidence, but also releases happiness hormones. It improves one’s cognitive abilities and reduces the feelings of depression, stress and anxiety.

Everything said and done, it’s the motivation to recover that puts an individual on the faster pace for recovery along with the expert advice.

For expert advice and support, please reach us at +91 77999 19293.