{"id":17394,"date":"2019-02-28T16:24:05","date_gmt":"2019-02-28T09:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kembalirehab.com\/?p=17394"},"modified":"2025-03-24T10:06:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T10:06:36","slug":"the-importance-of-the-pause-in-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amatesting.uk\/kembali\/the-importance-of-the-pause-in-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of the Pause in Recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ah, the power of the pause. It eludes so many of us in early recovery, and yet it\u2019s such a simple and powerful tool. In fact, it\u2019s one of the cornerstones of most successful long-term recovery programs, and for good reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>How Our Minds Work in Recovery<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at how our minds work for a minute. We\u2019ll reflect in general terms without labeling the mind as that of an \u201caddict\u201d or similar since you may or may not subscribe to the disease model. At the end of the day, any program or set of principles that helps keep you from picking up a drink, a drug, or from acting out in any way is a good one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Feelings vs. Facts: The Role of Emotion in Addiction<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, back to our minds. Of course, not all minds think alike, but one thing that you\u2019ll probably find in common with people battling addictive or compulsive behavior is that they tend to view feelings as facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, let\u2019s say you get angry with a lover, a co-worker, or a family member over something that may or may not be significant. In active addiction, or whatever you want to call it pre-abstinence, this anger probably felt justified. You may have thought you needed to drink, use, or act out as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is merely an example, but usually, we drink, use, or engage in other compulsive behaviors because something is making us uncomfortable, and we\u2019re anesthetizing. That \u201csomething\u201d is often our feelings, the way in which we perceive a certain situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flip side, feelings of elation can also be triggers. Many people engage in addictive or compulsive behavior when excitement levels are excessively high. This is something to be mindful of as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Reacting vs. Responding: Why Pausing Matters<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bottom line is that feelings, whether positive or negative, can put us into a reactive state. And there\u2019s a big difference between reacting and responding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reacting immediately to situations often leads to regret, but the trick here is to simply take a pause. Yes, we know, it seems counterintuitive, but it\u2019s such an incredible tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What the Big Book of AA Says About Pausing<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Page 87 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous<\/em><\/a> suggests that we \u201cpause when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or answer.\u201d Again, you don\u2019t have to subscribe to the disease model of addiction, this is just another example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pausing allows you to make a more intentional choice in a given situation. It gives time for that immediate feeling to pass and for a second, more rational thought to emerge. This way, you can respond rather than react. The outcome may be completely different, or it might be exactly the same, but at least you\u2019ll have made a conscious decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>How Pausing Supports Long-Term Recovery<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In recovery, pausing frequently is not a waste of time, even though it may feel uncomfortable at first. Slowing down can actually help speed up the healing process because it provides a new kind of strength:<\/p>\n\n\n\n