Memory As Therapy: How Recounting The Hard Times Aids In Recovery

By Amy Rothermel

There are certain steps to take when going through addiction recovery. This should include memory therapy. By recounting the hard times, you can aid the healing process.

Why is it Important to Recount Hard Times?

There are numerous reasons why you need to examine your past to recover from an addiction. It can help you avoid past behavior, recognize triggers, discover new coping skills, and provide other useful benefits.

Recovery needs to be taken one step at a time. But, one of these steps should include the process of using memory as therapy. You sometimes have to look at your life to figure out the best way to move forward and overcome your struggles. Here are some of the potential uses of including memory therapy as part of a treatment plan.

Recognize Your Triggers

When you recount hard times in your life, you take a closer look at your life as an addict. This can help you recognize your triggers. You may discover some of the triggers that lead you to use drugs or drink alcohol. It may help to write these triggers down and make a list.

Avoid Past Behavior

Looking at the past and recounting your memories can help you avoid past behavior. As with recognizing your triggers, you can learn from your mistakes. In most recovery programs, you need to understand your past behavior and apologize for errors that you may have made while under the influence. This forces you to realize the impact that your addiction has had on those around you and helps you avoid the same behavior in the future.

Learn New Coping Skills

Memory therapy can help you uncover new coping skills. By putting together some of the reasons that you have struggled with addiction, you can come up with methods of staying sober. You can develop solutions for coping with problems that may have previously led you to use drugs or drink alcohol.

Let Go of Past Trauma and Excuses

You need to let go of the past to move forward with life. Past trauma and horrible experiences can lead to a cycle of drugs and abuse. You need to recognize that these experiences no longer have to impact your current actions. Let go of the past. This does not mean that you should forget the past. You should learn from the past, but you should not let it have any hold over your current life.

Memory is an important part of therapy. You need to look at the past to come up with solutions for the present and future. By getting to the root cause of your addiction, you will be better prepared to deal with your addiction. You will be able to develop strategies and plans that help you conquer your addiction on your terms.

If you or someone that you know is struggling with addiction, then consider seeking counseling, rehabilitation, or therapy. Regardless of the treatment plan that you choose, memory therapy should be an important part of the process. Rehabilitation Centers like Alpine Recovery Lodge in Utah provides multiple and beneficial recovery programs to suit each and every individual’s needs.

About Amy Rothermel

As Financial Director and co-owner of Alpine Recovery Lodge, Amy is very involved in the finances and marketing operations. A graduate of Nevada State with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Amy also took Masters level math, finance and economics classes at UCSD. She is committed to the business end of daily operations and strives to use her knowledge of business processes to encourage the continued growth of Alpine Recovery Lodge. She works with insurance companies to get the most possible coverage available for the residents.