Going through DUI treatment often teaches you a lot about yourself. It can be very enlightening, especially when you need to start discussing why you drank in the first place. You may not want to realize that your alcohol habit was in control over the choices you made. Instead, it might make you more angry than you were in the first place. These anger issues could make recovering during DUI treatment a bit more difficult if you do not learn to manage them. Here are some tips to make managing these feelings a bit easier.
First, You Have to Acknowledge Your Emotions
The only way to begin addressing any type of issue is to acknowledge that it is here. This is true during DUI treatment, and outside of that circumstance. Realize there are different feelings coursing through your body. Know they are there for a reason. Name each emotion you recognize and write them down if necessary. Once you see all of the different emotions you are going through, you can then decide how to proceed.
Then You Need to Figure Out the Root Cause of Your Anger
Many people struggle with getting a DUI. DUIs in Arizona are strict and they often leave people struggling with the stigma that comes with it. This can lead to embarrassment, anger, frustration, and feeling as though you are living under a microscope. These emotions are negative and can lead to problems in other areas of your life is left unchecked. Once you recognize what you are feeling, you need to figure out why you are feeling that way. Did you have those emotions prior to your DUI? Perhaps you went through something during your adolescence that led to you feeling angry all the time. Make sure to figure out where these feelings come from. Then, you will be able to address them and stop letting them control you.
Ways of Managing Anger Specifically During DUI Treatment
Anger is one of the most prevalent emotions that a lot of people experience during DUI treatment. They are mad they got caught, they are mad at the choice they made, and mad that this is what their life succumbed to. All of these are accurate, while at the same time, they are also toxic if you do not learn to control them. Here are some ideas that can help you keep your anger in check.
1 – Make Sure You Hold Your Tongue. When angry, it can be easy to lash out at others, even those you are not angry with. If you learn to hold your tongue, as they say, it can help. It makes you process what you are thinking and feeling before you say anything you will likely later regret.
2 – Explain Your Emotions When In a Calmer State. Once you have gone through and calmed yourself down, talk to those around you and explain how you feel. The more you are able to talk about your feelings, the more control you have over them. It is a great experience to be able to embrace how you feel when you can share it appropriately.
3 – Go Do Something Else That You Enjoy. If you notice your anger building, then walk away and do something else. Make it an enjoyable experience. This could be going and working on a hobby that you love. You may want to go and spend time exercising or being out in nature. Perhaps you like to cook. No matter what it is you like to do, go do it so you can relax.
4 – Don’t Get Mad at Others for Not Understanding. Unless the people around you have gone through what you are going through exactly, they are not going to understand fully. They can have a good idea, but they are going to still be off. That’s to be expected. Trust them enough to know they are trying, and don’t let it anger you more.
5 – Get Help if Your Anger is More Than You Can Handle. There may be times where your anger gets to be too much. That happens. Know when you are getting to the point of being overwhelmed, and seek help if you need it. There are plenty of places out there that can help you manage your anger. Learn yourself enough to know when you need the assistance of others to manage.
During DUI Treatment, Learn to Manage Your Emotions
Getting your emotions under control is not easy, but it is worth it. Once you have your emotions in check, it becomes much easier to control other aspects of your life. During DUI treatment, you need to maintain control. This is vital to your ability to get sober, and stay that way. It is also vital to maintain control when it comes to not repeating the same mistakes again in the future.
Talk with the different people who are a part of your recovery for DUI. Here at Alcohol Screening Arizona, we know what you are going through on many levels. We understand the emotional roller coaster that comes with DUI treatment. We have also been there to help others in the same situation as you. When it comes to getting your treatment to go as smoothly as possible, we have seen what works for many.
Call on us here at Alcohol Screening Arizona today. Let our experts help you with the entire process. First, we can help with your DUI screening, and then we can help recommend ways of being able to manage this time. We can suggest places to go to talk with therapists, we know of many meeting areas around Arizona, and we can also tell you tips and tricks we have seen work in others. Our goal is to help you move past your DUI arrest and get on with your life in a safe, controlled manner. Call us at 602-687-9481 today, and let us help you get your life on track.