Finding meaning while recovering from addiction
The experience of addiction touches every aspect of someone’s life; including the ability to live with meaning and purpose. In my work with people recovering from addiction I have found that most have times where they struggle to find meaning and purpose in recovery, and that addressing this struggle is central to the recovery process. There are several reasons for this common struggle. For some, the experience of addiction draws them to behavior and a lifestyle that is profoundly at odds with the meanings that ordered their life prior to addiction. For others, addicted substance use coincides with a set of meanings inherited from an addicted family. There are also those who have had throughout their life, experienced a pervasive sense of meaninglessness, a sort of hole that is temporarily filled by drug and alcohol use. While all of these experiences are unique what they have in common is a struggle to forge new meanings that are congruent with recovery.
The idea that finding meaning is important to addiction recovery is supported by research which suggests living with meaning and purpose in one’s life is correlated with longer periods of sustained addiction recovery. The opposite is also true, that the lack of meaning and purpose leads to relapse and continued active addiction. The noted existential therapist and Holocaust survivor Dr. V. Frankl discussed what he called the existential vacuum as the experience of a life devoid of meaning. The existential vacuum is felt as a hole in one’s life, a feeling of unfulfilled desire for something that cannot be put into words. While there are many responses to this existential hole, the addicted use of drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex is common.
Questions of meaning are central to recovery. When people feel their life is meaningful they are shown to stay in recovery longer, and feelings of meaninglessness are often responded to with addictive behaviors.
Dr. Frankl's meaning centered therapy, Logotherapy, offers profound insights into how one develops a meaningful life. Frankl asserts that questioning life's meaning is not an intellectual exercise that one answers through introspection. This is because life, and its associated meanings, are always a relationship with the world that one inhabits. From this perspective one has to engage in life in order to find and actualize the meanings that are already present within the world. A second insight that Frankl presents is that there is no singular answer to questions of life’s meaning. Instead, meanings in life are always uniquely dependent upon the individual, their history, and the situation which they occupy. Because each human life is a unique experience the meanings present in one’s life and world are equally unique.
Meaning is always unique to an individual’s life, and found through engagement with the world.
In response to these insights Frankl offers several paths through which meaning can be found in an individual’s life. While Frankl offers a general map of how we can find meaning in life, each individual must find their own way to develop their own expressions of meaning. Each of these avenues toward meaning provide important insights in developing a fulfilling life in recovery.
Three Paths to Developing Meaning in Life:
What we create in life
There are many ways that a person gives their creative works to the world. For some this manifests as art, while for others this is expressed through a craft or other utilitarian expression of talent. For yet others, this may be expressed as the operation of a business or nonprofit organization. What is important here is that one brings their passion to the world, and shares it with others. Frankl notes that through expressing one's creativity socially, an individual reinforces both their unique identity as well as their bond to the community which is enriched by their participation.
During active addiction creative passions and ties to the communities that they enrich are often obscured by the compulsions and life chaos that are inevitably found in active addiction. For many, reconnecting with these passions is a powerful coping skill that includes experiences of developing a scene of competence, learning to positively channel emotions that were previously triggers for addicted behavior, and reconnecting with a community that supports creative efforts.
What we experience in the world
Just like creative works, there are many ways that what is experienced in the world creates meaning in a person’s life. For many the experience of being in relation to others as either; partners, parents, friends or community members is one of the most profound and meaningful experiences in the world. Cultural, and religious traditions are also profound experiences that help a person find meaning in their life. While for others, the stillness of nature or the beauty of art offer experiences of profound significance.
When we first step away from the euphoria or absolute numbness of substance use, it may be hard to see how such mundane experiences can compensate for what is being given up. However for many, substance use or other addictive behaviors begin as a response to a life that seems devoid of such meaningful experiences. In this case it is important to find what it is that addictive experiences fulfilled in our life, and work to meet these needs in ways that do not necessitate a white knuckled denial of fulfillment, or a return to substance use.
How we address the facts and limits of our life
The last of Frankl’s approaches toward a meaningful life is both the most counter-intuitive and profound. This is the stand that a person takes to the limits of their existence. How we address loss, illness, and the parts of life that are beyond our control is the most profound avenue for meaning according to Frankl. While the situation of one’s life can limit their ability for creative expression or meaningful experiences, how we encounter this situation is the opportunity to create meaning that can never be taken away from a person.
This final point is particularly important to addiction recovery, because addiction and recovery are experiences fraught with limitations. The wreckage left by addiction often includes legal charges, damage to relationships, health problems, financial impacts, and many other limitations. How we face these limitations is, according to Frankl, the truest expression of our human freedom. This is because even though we cannot undo the mistakes of the past we can choose how we relate to them in our present life. Is the wreckage of addiction a weight that drags us down, and an excuse to turn away from our own possibilities? Or is it a sign of how far we have come and how far we still have to go, a sign of strength to overcome, and a reminder of the help we have had from others along the way? This final avenue of meaning is the meaning that comes from having the courage to face ourselves; who we have been, who we are and who we can become. In facing our limits we find their meaning in relation to us, and consequently our meaning in relation to the unique life that we are each presented with.
Living with Meaning in Recovery
Living with meaning is a universal task that lacks a universal answer; and while this is often complicated by addiction and the related life experiences, it remains an essential task to all who are recovering from addiction. For some the meanings of their life are quickly found as they enter recovery. Yet many struggle to find meaning for long periods of time while working toward a life that is free from addicted behaviors. If this is the case it may be helpful to work with others and identify what paths to meaning are available at this time in your life. Here, a trusted friend, family member, mentor, or skilled therapist may serve as a guide during the journey to a fulfilling life in recovery. If you are interested in seeking therapy, click the button below for more information on my therapeutic approach or to schedule an appointment.
References:
Carroll S. (1993) Spirituality and purpose in life in alcoholism recovery. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs Vol. 54(3), pp. 297-301.
Frankl, V. (1957). The Doctor and the Soul, An Introduction to Logotherapy. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, INC.
Frankl, V. (1967). Psychotherapy and Existentialism, Selected Papers on Logotherapy. New York, NY: Washington Square Press.
Laudet A, White W, Storey G. (2008). Recovery capital as prospective predictor of sustained recovery, life satisfaction and stress among former poly-substance users. Journal of Substance Use & Misuse Vol. 43(1), pp. 27-54.