Adopting a pet during addiction recovery for drugs or substance use or mental health condition has so many benefits. Both you and your pet can benefit from each other during your recovery process. It can primarily offer a sense of purpose, enhance your overall moods, satisfy your loneliness, and decrease further chances of substance and alcohol addiction.
The following are three purposes of why adopting a pet is crucial during the addiction recovery process.
Pets can Improve Your Social Life During Addiction Recovery
If you are new to the addiction recovery process, chances are you are still adjusting your daily life. For instance, making or maintaining a relationship with your friends has been difficult than it used to be. Therefore, considering pet adoption is less challenging, especially a dog, since they are more interactive both indoors and outdoors.
Taking your dog outside for a regular walk can improve the pet’s health as it creates opportunities for your social life interaction with other people. You might get lots of surprises on many responses you will receive, especially if your dog is unique.
If you choose to adopt a trained and rare breed of dog that attracts lots of attention from people, some people may want to compliment the dog and inquire more about it. This situation is an excellent opportunity to share your dog’s story as you engage in conversations with people.
These kinds of interactions can create new friendships with your animal while improving your social life. A study featured at Harvard Health publishing proved these findings and showed that pets could create social supports and boost human relationships and communications. Social interaction is one of the aspects required for successful addiction recovery among addicts.
Pets can Give You a Sense of Purpose
If you undergo an addiction recovery process, you will be the main focus during the treatment process. Even if your loved ones encourage you during the program, you still have to focus on yourself to recover. You have a purpose and a goal to accomplish. Possibly, it will be the purpose that will encourage your journey towards recovery.
However, adopting a pet can provide you with the same sense of purpose since you can take care of your pet’s needs while saving its life. The pet will also reciprocate, appreciate you while giving you a purpose and meaning for life. The possibility also includes the desire to recover from addiction.
Reduce Stress and Related Issues
Depression, anxiety, and stress are common disorders to deal with that even professional treatment is not just enough. Therefore, you will need to apply additional coping methods to help you remain mentally healthy during addiction recovery.
In such a scenario, adopting a pet can be of great benefit. Stroking a cat or dog is an assured means of calming your nerves, while it helps to cope with stress or anxiety. Such animals can help you to relax.
If you consider bringing a new pet into your home to help in addiction recovery, consider visiting your local pet rescue facility or animal shelter for adoption. There are thousands of centers all over America that have enough dogs, cats, and other pets awaiting their future homes.
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