Some individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) struggle to accept the reality of their condition. Learning to cope with the symptoms and side effects of SUD takes time, and some people do not want to wait for the healing process to take effect. Instead, they rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms, including toxic positivity. According to the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, “[M]erely staying positive is not equivalent to experiencing positive emotions and [. . .] suppressing negative emotions can be harmful.” Bright Mission Recovery teaches clients how to manage their conditions using healthy coping tools.
What Is Toxic Positivity?
According to the previously mentioned article in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, “Toxic positivity is the mindset that one should stay positive and act positive no matter how negative a situation is.” Many people adopt a happy facade during challenging times to stop loved ones from worrying or to avoid focusing on negative things. However, sometimes staying positive no matter what can hurt mental health and overall wellness. Overwriting authentic emotional reactions with forced positivity may cause significant emotional distress.
Examples of toxic positivity in addiction and mental health rehabilitation include:
- Dismissing negative emotions instead of validating struggles
- Minimizing trauma rather than acknowledging the pain of past events
- Forcing optimism by suppressing difficult or distressing emotions
- Ignoring the risk of relapse by assuming positive thinking will prevent relapse
- Invalidating pain instead of seeking support
- Endulging in self-shaming negative thoughts
- Expecting immediate recovery
- Avoiding difficult and necessary conversations to “stay positive”
- Overlooking the natural ups and downs of healing from SUD
- Replacing professional treatment with platitudes and affirmations
Healing from substance abuse or mental health disorders involves remaining positive while acknowledging the realities of treatment and ongoing sobriety. Avoiding the truth of what it means to overcome SUD by practicing forced optimism has the potential to cause significant setbacks during rehabilitation.
The Importance of Realistic Expectations in Addiction Recovery
Misinformation, disinformation, and a lack of information may cause people to have unrealistic expectations for addiction treatment. For example, some clients in rehab may not understand that their condition requires ongoing therapy and monitoring. No immediate “cure” exists for SUD. Psychoeducation ensures clients and their loved ones know what to expect from treatment. Clients who know what to expect from every stage of rehabilitation have better outcomes.
People set realistic treatment expectations by doing the following:
- Understanding personal strengths and assessing current limitations
- Breaking goals into smaller, more manageable steps
- Allowing flexibility for setbacks and changes to treatment
- Basing goals on facts instead of comparing to others
- Acknowledging external factors affecting treatment
- Regularly reevaluating goals and progress
Clients learn to create realistic goals in rehabilitation programs. The care team at Bright Mission Recovery ensures all clients have the resources and skills to set clear and attainable goals before transitioning into aftercare.
Hiding Behind Toxic Positivity
Some people in rehabilitation programs may use unhealthy positivity to avoid facing brutal truths about their condition or the consequences of chronic substance abuse. Hiding behind positivity may interfere with treatment.
Being untruthful about the effects of addiction makes it more challenging for clients to identify and address issues related to substance abuse. Treatment programs support clients while holding them accountable for their choices. Clients learn to balance optimism and pragmatism, allowing them to heal while hoping for a brighter future.
Bright Mission Recovery Uses Psychoeducation and Other Tools to Help Clients Heal
Psychoeducation gives clients and their loved ones essential context for the symptoms and side effects of SUD. People are less likely to maintain unhealthy forms of excessive optimism if they fully understand the root causes and risk factors for substance abuse. Clinicians educate clients to ensure they have a realistic view of addiction and treatment.
Accepting the positives with the negatives allows people to create a balanced approach to healing. Treatment programs encourage clients to look to the future with hope and realistic expectations. Bright Mission Recovery uses psychoeducation and other tools to guide clients through the rehabilitation process.
Health Alternatives to Toxic Positivity
Excessive positivity may cause people to put immense pressure on themselves, making it more difficult for them to achieve lasting sobriety. People may find it easier to avoid maladaptive coping mechanisms if they replace negative thought patterns with positive alternatives. Avoiding negativity and building healthy coping skills improves mental wellness.
Clients replace toxic positivity with other coping mechanisms, including:
- Acknowledging painful emotions during moments of self-reflection and discussions with individuals in support networks
- Engaging in mindful self-compassion without ignoring setbacks
- Practicing regular self-care to maintain positivity without avoiding the realities of addiction
- Allowing space for negative feelings and finding healthy ways to express them
- Practicing a balance of optimism and objectivity
Staff at Bright Mission Recovery show clients how to successfully replace excessive optimism with healthier coping skills.
Positivity is a powerful tool for healing. However, toxic positivity may cause some people to avoid taking necessary precautions to prevent relapse. To make healthy lifestyle changes, people in rehabilitation must balance positivity with a realistic approach to sobriety. Avoiding excessive or unhealthy levels of optimism ensures people maintain a down-to-earth perspective that improves mindfulness and self-awareness. The experts at Bright Mission Recovery use psychotherapy and other treatment modalities to support clients and give them the necessary tools to avoid falling into the trap of toxic positivity. Clients learn to set realistic and attainable goals during treatment and aftercare. To find out more about our programs and services, call our office today at (747) 444-3284.