Alcohol Dependence

Resilience often sounds like a big word. We picture it as climbing mountains, surviving tragedy, or bouncing back from impossible challenges. But the truth is, resilience isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s built quietly, in the small choices we make every single day.

When you live with mental illness or are walking through recovery from addiction, resilience can feel out of reach. You may think it requires strength you don’t have, or motivation that’s missing. But resilience isn’t about never breaking—it’s about learning how to bend, how to find stability in the smallest of routines, and how to rebuild one step at a time.

Why Routines Matter

Mental illness and addiction thrive in chaos. They feed on unpredictability, self-doubt, and the absence of structure. That’s why routines are powerful: they create an anchor when everything else feels uncertain.

Morning rituals like making your bed, stretching, or writing down one intention for the day set the tone for control and focus.

Consistent meals and hydration remind your body and mind that you’re worthy of care.

Sleep routines give your brain the reset it desperately needs.

Journaling or gratitude lists provide a safe outlet for thoughts that might otherwise spiral.

Research supports this. A 2020 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that consistent routines improve emotional regulation and reduce stress, particularly for individuals managing mental illness. Another study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence showed that routines can strengthen recovery by reducing triggers and creating a sense of control.

It’s not about perfection—it’s about repetition. These tiny acts create a sense of safety, which builds resilience from the inside out.

Everyday Resilience in Action

Resilience doesn’t look like “never struggling.” It looks like:

Choosing to get out of bed even after a night of racing thoughts.

Replacing one unhealthy coping mechanism with a healthier one.

Saying “no” to what drains you and “yes” to what helps you heal.

Starting again—even after you’ve stumbled.

Each of these choices is a quiet declaration: I haven’t given up on myself.

Psychologists describe resilience as the ability to adapt positively in the face of adversity. That means resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

The Ripple Effect

When you stick to small routines, they don’t just help you survive the day—they build confidence. Over time, you begin to see yourself as capable. That shift in identity is where true resilience grows.

Behavioral activation research shows that small, repeated positive actions—like keeping routines—can improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms.

You’re not just “someone with depression,” or “someone in recovery.” You become a person who keeps going. A person who chooses healing, again and again, even when it’s hard.

Final Thought

Resilience isn’t built overnight—it’s built in the everyday. The way you care for yourself in the morning. The way you keep showing up in the afternoon. The way you choose to rest at night.

Your routines are not small. They’re proof of your strength. Every time you repeat them, you’re reminding yourself: I am still here. I am still trying. I am resilient.

Bigmommaj
#resilence #MentalHealth

I’m getting there 👌💪👍
#MightyTogether #Addiction #AlcoholAbuse #AlcoholDependence #Alcoholism

Following on from yesterday’s post regarding my referral to a ‘Substance Abuse Therapy Centre’, here’s how it went…..
So appointment went well. They are not overly concerned about the drinking but they advised me to try and taper off the use of cocaine, if I can go cold turkey then fine, but if not then reduce my consumption bit by bit. Referring me for an ADHD assessment via my GP. Tested me for Hepatitis C and HIV so wait couple of weeks for the results. Generally speaking had a good chat with the girl, she was understanding and she listened which was refreshing. They’re going to liase with both my GP and Psychiatrist and give me the best possible support to kick these habits into touch 👌
#MentalHealth #MightyTogether #ADHD #AlcoholDependence #AlcoholAbuse #Alcoholism #Narcotics

One of my adult sons just sent me this and I burst out crying because I can relate so much to every line myself.

My son and I are a lot alike. We both need other people in our lives to help us feel loved, validated and to recharge our emotional batteries. It is clearly a big ask for the people in our lives. We are not difficult or overly demanding, but we definitely struggle to feel secure and have inner peace. We think we were born into the wrong family because they find our chronic illness needs burdensome.

Honestly, probably anyone with chronic health problems, mental or physical, feels like a burden to their loved ones sometimes. I am here today to remind you that it is not your fault that you have this neverending challenge that requires extra support from others. Hear me? IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Sharing this beautiful paragraph brought my son and I closer, so I am giving it to all of you to use too.

Peace and Love.

#apathy #Anxiety #MentalHealth #AlcoholDependence #AmphetamineDependence #Addiction #AlcoholAbuse #ADHD #Caregiving #AnorexiaNervosa #AspergersSyndrome #Agoraphobia #Autism #Fibromyalgia #PTSD #PTSDSupportAndRecovery #BackPain #CeliacDisease #ChronicFatigue #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS

A weekly reminder for anyone who needs a little motivation #Addiction #ADHD #MentalHealth #Anxiety #AlcoholDependence #Depression

Self-forgiveness affirmations can be incredibly helpful in fostering a healthier relationship with oneself. By consistently repeating positive affirmations, such as “I am worthy of forgiveness” or “I release myself from past mistakes,” you can gradually shift your mindset from self-criticism to self-compassion.

This practice helps ease feelings of guilt and shame and empowers personal growth, allowing you to learn from your experiences rather than be held back by them. Ultimately, these affirmations serve as gentle reminders that you deserve the same understanding and kindness you would offer others. #ADHD #Anxiety #AlcoholDependence #Addiction #Neurodiversity #Depression

I started drinking when I was a kid. My parents would give me sips of their beer when I would tell them I was thirsty and then laugh at how cute I was when I drank it. I loved the attention. I got drunk the first time at 11, after my sister died. I started drinking full time at age 14. I drank almost every day from the age of 19 until I was 40, except when I was pregnant: twice (and boy, did I not like that).

I “tried” to quit drinking a few times it never lasted. Finally, I joined AA. There, I was love bombed and abused much like the dysfunctional family I grew up in. They taught me I had a disease that was incurable and I was morally bankrupt. Any normal human emotion was a selfish symptom of my alcoholic/addict brain. Since, I was morally bankrupt I couldn’t be trusted to manage my own health. I must rely on a “higher power”.

I was encouraged to stop taking my prescribed medication and to stop seeing therapists and was being steered towards a certain religion. Further disempowering me, and making me dependent on the program, was the belief that I would have to remain dependent on this
“higher power” and be a life time member or I would die.

So to put it simply I had a scientific “disease” that science could not cure, I was too morally deficient to think for myself and AA knew what was best for me. I stayed for 6 months, before I had a falling out with a member when my dad died. The lack of empathy for my situation was appalling.

We had one member who was the leader rather than someone who shared that role with everyone the way the meetings are traditionally conducted. She verbally attacked me, stalked me, harassed me, started a smear campaign and threatened physical harm. Even my sponsor was harmful, she joined right in and so did her husband. I almost got a restraining order, instead I didn’t leave my house for almost a year. Even after, I rarely go out alone.

That experience caused me to finally quit, not because the “program” worked, but in spite of it. I never wanted to be involved with people like that again, nor did I ever want that life again.

So, those outside of the 12 step programs don’t know, and believe they’re great programs. Let’s be honest, that’s what you’ve been taught to believe, and until recently there has been no other choice. For those in the programs, you are desperately seeking love, acceptance, approval, and relief of your addictions (self medicating, that’s what it truly is). You have been taken advantage of, I hope you realize that, and get some real help someday. And for those who left, I’m proud of you, for finding that inner strength that was repressed in you; thinking for yourself, so you will never fall victim again to exploitation and empowering yourself to truly heal.

I’m 6 years alcohol free, and nearly 2 years tobacco free. No higher power did that. Thoughts and prayers didn’t do that. I did that. I can have all the alcohol and tobacco I want, I simply don’t want it. I have healthier choices and better ways to love my self.

I know a lot of people reading this, will experience cognitive dissonance.