Substance abuse can be seen as a type of soul sickness, where we feel disconnected from our true self, others, and the world around us. In this state, we may use substances as a way to numb pain, fill a void, or escape feelings of isolation or unworthiness. The soul, which seeks connection, meaning, and inner peace, is left in a cycle of emptiness as the substances only deepen the disconnection. This soul sickness goes beyond just physical addiction—it’s a spiritual and emotional struggle, where the person’s inner world becomes clouded by the substances that promise relief but deliver deeper pain.
To heal from this soul sickness, a holistic approach is essential. True healing must address not only the physical body but also the mind and spirit. Practices like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation can help reconnect individuals to their inner selves, fostering a sense of wholeness and self-compassion. By nurturing the body, quieting the mind, and healing the spirit, holistic recovery encourages a transformation that supports long-term sobriety and a return to one’s authentic self. It’s about finding balance, peace, and meaning beyond the reach of substances, allowing the soul to heal and thrive once more.
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. ~J. Krishnamurti
Social pressures around money and success can be particularly challenging for people in recovery from substance abuse. These pressures often contribute to feelings of stress and low self-worth, which can become triggers for relapse. Here’s how they affect us in recovery:
1. Unrealistic Comparisons
When you’re in recovery, it’s easy to look around and feel like others are doing better. Social media and society push images of people who seem to have it all—financial success, great careers, perfect lives. When you’re working on staying sober, these comparisons can make you feel like you’re behind or failing, even though recovery is already a huge achievement. These feelings of inadequacy can tempt us to escape through old habits or substances.
2. Fear of Failure
The pressure to be financially successful or achieve certain career goals can heighten the fear of failure. If you’re newly sober or rebuilding your life, this fear can feel overwhelming. You might worry that if you don’t meet these societal standards, others will judge you or that you’ve failed. This fear can fuel stress, which is a known trigger for relapse, especially when the stress feels insurmountable.
3. Overworking and Burnout
In recovery, it’s common to want to “prove” that you’ve changed by working harder or striving for success. But overworking yourself to meet external expectations can lead to burnout and exhaustion. When you’re burnt out, it’s easy to slip back into old coping mechanisms, especially if you’ve previously turned to substances to numb stress or fatigue.
4. Materialism and Self-Worth
During recovery, rebuilding a sense of self-worth is one of the most crucial, yet challenging, tasks. After years of substance abuse, many individuals feel disconnected from who they truly are, often burdened with guilt or shame about their past. This makes the journey of rediscovering their intrinsic value even more important. However, society often complicates this process by equating worth with external achievements—like money, material possessions, or professional success. When we don’t have these things, it’s easy to feel like we’re “less than” or that we don’t measure up to society’s standards.
For someone in recovery, especially if they’re starting from a difficult place financially, this societal pressure can feel overwhelming. Financial instability, unemployment, or lack of material success may make it seem as though progress isn’t being made, which can chip away at self-esteem. When someone already feels fragile, this external judgment can magnify their insecurities, making them doubt their progress or even their ability to stay sober. If self-worth becomes tied to what we own or what we achieve externally, it makes it harder to recognize the inner growth and healing that is happening, which is crucial in recovery.
Instead, focusing on inner worth, relationships, and personal growth—values that aren’t dictated by what we own—becomes essential to rebuilding self-esteem. Self-compassion, practicing gratitude, and staying grounded in the present moment help shift the focus from material success to emotional and spiritual healing. This shift in perspective helps to strengthen a positive self-image, which is vital for maintaining long-term sobriety. When we base our worth on who we are, not what we have, we cultivate a lasting foundation of self-worth that supports recovery.
5. Strain on Relationships
Social pressures for money and success can pull you away from personal connections and relationships, which are critical in recovery. Isolation, whether physical or emotional, can leave you feeling unsupported and more vulnerable to relapse. Recovery is hard enough without the added burden of feeling like you’re not living up to expectations.
6. Chronic Stress
In recovery, stress management is a key part of staying sober. The constant pressure to succeed—whether it’s financially, professionally, or socially—creates chronic stress. Stress, if unmanaged, can easily lead back to old habits. It can cloud your judgment and make it harder to focus on the healthy routines and coping mechanisms you’ve been working on in recovery.
These societal pressures can make us feel like we’re always behind, which is a tough mindset to navigate when you’re in recovery. But shifting your focus from external success to internal well-being can make a big difference. Instead of getting caught up in what society tells you is important, concentrate on what’s truly valuable for your sobriety: inner peace, building supportive relationships, and practicing self-care.
Yoga, mindfulness, and self-compassion are powerful tools in recovery because they help center us on what really matters—our health, happiness, and staying present. By reducing stress and building a strong sense of self-worth that isn’t tied to money or success, you can create a foundation that helps avoid relapse and supports your continued growth in recovery.
