Published On: October 1, 2021

Active vs Passive Recovery

Recovery from drugs or alcohol is a journey that differs from person to person. However, the end goal is always to lead a life free from the clutches of your addiction. The path of sobriety has many obstacles along the way, and with a strong support system and the willingness to live a sober life staying clean is possible.

Although recovery is a very involved process, not everyone has the same approach to sobriety. Each journey is adapted into one’s lifestyle to promote a healthier life and keep you clean from your addiction. Whether you are involved in daily group meetings or turn to solitude to fight your addiction, ridding your addiction to drugs and alcohol is always a top priority. Let’s take a closer look into two main approaches to help you better understand the journey ahead.

Passive Recovery

Sometimes those suffering from addictions are reluctant to get clean. Instead of playing an active role in their recovery, they take a back seat. This might seem like a sure way to fail along their journey; however, it still can lead to success. What does passive recovery look like, you may ask? Well, for example, have you ever gone through the motions of something? It could have been cooking, cleaning, or playing a game. You have an end goal in mind and understand the steps to get you there. However, you do not involve yourself deep into the process. Your mind might be on another topic than what is in front of you, making it more challenging to attend to the emotions and thoughts created in the present moment.

In recovery, this could look like someone attending group meetings but being reluctant to speak or being closed off when approached by others recovering. Passive recovery, although progress, can make any program more complex and ultimately ineffective.

Active Recovery

Fighting an addiction is difficult when you do it alone. As we saw with passive recovery, being closed off from resources and a support system can make the journey more difficult. With that being said, there is a way to increase the chances of recovery and lead a happier and healthier life. Although active recovery might seem like you are going through the motions of healing, it is much deeper than that.

When you begin to accept help and open up your heart and mind to support, fighting your addiction becomes easier than before. During active recovery, you not only learn to live a sober life, but you become more involved in the process of recovery, which helps you through any obstacles you might face on your journey.

Active recovery can look like involving yourself in meeting discussions, seeking help from a sponsor, or having family and friends hold you accountable for your actions outside of the program.