The grieving process while losing someone you loved and cared for can be extremely overwhelming and difficult, especially during the holiday season. There are many different feelings and emotions that will come and go, but ultimately a good percentage of people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their loss in the grieving process. We want to strongly emphasize that there is a healthier way to make it through this loss without having to drown your sorrows with booze and drugs; there are 5 stages that the grieving process entails.

The Grieving Process: The Five Stages of Loss and Grief

Losing someone you love is never going to be easy to anyone, although everyone copes with the loss and grieving process differently. The five stages of grief is going to be different for everyone; may it be out of order or only some of the stages happen.

1. Denial and Isolation- You don’t want to believe that your loved one is really gone, and you have it set in their mind that they’re still going to come back. This could usually start once you say the words, “it hasn’t hit me yet.” You should get out there and talk to someone, and not sit alone and drown your sorrows with drugs and booze.
2. Anger and Animosity- Being angry when losing someone you cared a lot about is perfectly normal. You may even start putting blame on other people, just so something can make sense.
3. Powerlessness- A sense of powerlessness may occur, as if you are finally feeling that there is nothing that you can do to bring your loved one back to your life. You may start trying to “bargain” with a higher power to get them back in your life; like: “Please, I’ll never drink again if they can just come back.” Getting professional help or seeking a support group can be very vital to your recovery from this loss.
4. Depression- Once the reality has set in, people unfortunately may slip into a depression, where the drinking and/or drugging usually occurs. People who abuse drugs and alcohol to cope with start doing this so they don’t have to feel, or even self harm so they can feel something at all. Isolation is also a symptom of depression, so try not to be alone if possible.
5. Acceptance- There is no time limit or time frame to getting to this stage of the grieving process. Accepting that you lost someone special to you is going to be different for everyone; no one’s grieving process is the same. Once the acceptance has come to you, maybe a healthy way to start coping is to look for a way to honor your loved one somehow. Get creative, you’ll think of something.

SAYING GOODBYE TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

There’s also a grieving process when you are trying to get clean and sober. Breaking the chain of addiction will also make someone feel like they are dealing with a loss. The drink or the drug was there for you through so much and helped you cope with many different things in your life. When the drink or drug stops working for you, and you ask for help, it’s very much like losing your best friend. A lot of denial may then come into play and also a lot of anger. When someone is trying to get sober, you’ve got to know that it was the only way they really knew how to live. Now this person has to learn how to live without having to have a drink or a drug to cope with their feelings and emotions. If you or someone you know is using drugs or alcohol to cope or “make them feel better,” call (866) 527-5252 now and see what your treatment options are for getting your life back.