Loss and Renewal: Grieving in Addiction Recovery

By Gianna Chapman, LPC

Grief is a common human experience, affecting people of all ages. Those recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) often face additional challenges due to losses experienced during or as a result of their addiction

Among those managing substance use, loss and grief tend to be seen in those experiencing the loss of a peer or of a relationship as a consequence of active usage. Navigating symptoms of grief can impact recovery and complicate the process. Grief can throw another layer of emotional strain on someone already working through challenges. Such individuals may feel a lack of motivation to participate in treatment, attend clinical groups, or maintain healthy routines but fortunately, there is support available.

What Happens During Loss?

There are a variety of experiences when dealing with loss. Some people can manage and work through emotions such as sadness, anger, and loneliness while others take much longer to cope with life change. Such persistent grief, known as complicated grief, leads people to struggle with painful emotions and often affects the substance use population at higher rates than others. Research has shown that treating grief in recovery lowers symptoms of depression and, overall, increases life satisfaction.

Source: xavierarnau / iStock

William Worden's Four Tasks of Mourning outlines a structured approach to managing grief symptoms. Unlike the stages of grief, which identifies emotions commonly associated with loss, the task of mourning is a way to work through the void left in one's life.

Loss does not necessarily have to be defined as a death. It could be the loss of a relationship or a change in identity. Major life changes can be considered losses to which it takes time to adjust fully. During active usage, when a mind is clouded by substances, it is difficult to process strong emotions. Working through the tasks while in treatment gives individuals a way to process loss and move on with life in a healthy way.  

Managing Grief Through William Worden’s Tasks

1. The first task of mourning is working through accepting the reality of the loss. During this challenging time, some people deny that the loss is real or believe that someone will magically come back into their lives. During active usage, the reality of loss is difficult to accept. Being able to fully recognize the loss allows the healing process to begin, and working with a therapist can guide the journey.
2. The second task of mourning is experiencing the pain of the loss. It encompasses not only pain but all the complicated emotions associated with loss, including guilt and anger. It involves actively acknowledging and addressing such strong emotions, rather than numbing or avoiding them. Managing the feelings is a crucial part of recovery, but it can be particularly challenging during early sobriety.
3. An individual who has processed the emotions can move into task three—adjusting to the world. A loss often requires people to adjust their way of life, whether it is internal adjustments to self-identity or external adjustments to life. External adjustments might entail taking over new roles in the household, changing social interactions, or managing physical items. Another large change that tends to be part of task three encompasses spiritual adjustments. Loss can lead people to question meaning and connection. Losing a person or relationship can increase focus on meaning in life that may have ignored.
4. The final task of mourning is remembering while still being able to move on in life. In other words, it is about integrating the loss into one's life, enabling forward movement while cherishing memories. Moving through the tasks of mourning is far from a linear process and it is common to cycle through each task multiple times. The tasks can be completed at any pace; there is no time requirement for finishig each task, and some people may require more time and attention than others. 

Grief can feel like a heavy weight on a recovery path. But taking time to grieve and truly feel the emotions gives people a stronger recovery foundation. Learning healthy ways to cope with powerful feelings equips those recovering to stay on track. Recovery is a journey and honoring grief is a vital step towards lasting well-being.

About the Author:

Gianna Chapman is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with a decade of experience in the mental health and addiction field. She is Program Manager of Virtual Outpatient Servicesat Mountainside.