In this issue:

Anger in Recovery Fall 2016

Everyone Gets Angry What Causes Anger? Almost everyone will experience at least some occasional Anger can have either rational or irrational causes. If an feelings of anger. This emotion may occur when a person individual feels that somebody else has harmed them they feels frustrated or mistreated. Individuals who get angry may respond with anger. There will also be times when become openly aggressive or they may just become passive people will use anger strategically. The aim is to increase the aggressive. Excessive anger can be dangerous because chances of getting what they want by acting aggressively. it leads to all types of physical, emotional and social Some individuals become angry as a way to release pent up consequences. Anger can be a highly destructive emotion frustration. for those who are in recovery from addiction as it can lead to There are said to be four main types of thinking that cause relapse. people to become irrationally angry: 1. The individual may have unrealistic expectations about What Is Anger? how other people should behave. This type of thinking Anger is definitely a type of emotion. The degree to which is often involves words such as, “they should” or “they people experience this emotion varies greatly but it is shouldn’t.” generally made up of three components: 2. Thinking of others as either inferior or superior can often • The cognitive component involves thoughts of why the lead to feelings of anger towards them. individual feels angry 3. People sometimes misinterpret what is going on in the • The angry behavior may include shouting, breaking, or mind of another individual. throwing things 4. Anger can arise if there is any sense that another person • The physical reaction is associated with the fight or flight might be a threat. response. Such a response will lead to physiological changes including increased respiratory and heart rate. Dangers of Anger Excessive anger can be a dangerous emotion that leads to Passive Anger undesirable consequences such as: Anger can be either passive or openly aggressive in nature. • It can alienate friends and family The individual who is passive aggressive may appear outwardly calm and friendly. Inside such people there can • If an individual experiences the ‘fight or flight’ response be a lot of anger that just isn’t being expressed openly. too often it can begin to damage body organs. It can also Examples of passive anger can include: increase risk of heart disease • Manipulation—when the passive aggressive individual • It can destroy romantic relationships provokes other people to react. They may deliberately set • It can lead to loss of employment out to make the other person become angry by pressing • It causes insomnia their buttons. It can include behaviors like emotional • People who are excessively angry may suffer from blackmail or trying to make the other person feel guilty increased fatigue about something. • It can cause some individuals to become violent • Dispassion—exhibiting an attitude of not caring about the • It increases the risk of becoming a victim of violence other person. This can involve completely ignoring them or • Violent people are more likely to commit illegal acts just being aloof. • Angry people are more likely to turn to alcohol and drugs • Sulking—being silent or ill-tempered because of for comfort annoyance or disappointment. • People can feel intense guilt over their angry outbursts • Secretive behavior—like talking about other people behind their back or making secret complaints about them. Anger and Recovery • Turning to obsessive behaviors as a means of dealing with Individuals who enter recovery after a period of addiction inner frustrations can struggle with anger. The early months of sobriety can • Deliberately failing at tasks to punish other people. be an emotional rollercoaster ride with unbelievable highs • Using self-blame as a means to take on the role of a victim. and lows. For years, the emotions of addicted people have Dealing with Anger in Recovery been anesthetized with alcohol or drugs, but now they It is important for people in recovery to learn new ways to suddenly become awake. The individual may feel happy one manage anger. It must never be allowed to fester until it minute, but then become irrationally angry over the slightest derails the individual. Here are a few methods for how it may provocation. be managed: Sometimes it is the inability to deal with emotions like anger • Meditation or prayer can be highly beneficial as a that leads people down the path into addiction in the first technique in helping people manage their emotions. This place. It is not surprising that this pattern continues to be allows the individual to understand these emotions better. a problem when a person enters recovery. In the past they It can also allow people to disassociate themselves from will have used alcohol or drugs as a coping strategy, but now feelings of anger. this option is no longer available to them. This means that • There are many techniques available for managing anger. they will need to learn new and more effective ways to deal This could involve something as simple as going for a long with such emotions. If they continue to try to use ineffective walk rather than confronting an individual right away. coping strategies it will make recovery more difficult. As the Concentrating on breathing or counting to ten can also well-known saying goes­—“if people keep on doing the same sometimes be helpful. things, the same things will keep on happening to them.” • Regular exercise is an effective way to release pent up Anger Can Trigger Relapse frustrations. Anger is one of the most frequently used excuses for why • Looking at the real cause of irrational anger outbursts is people relapse after a period of sobriety. This emotion of important. It may be a sign that something is not right in anger may build up over a period of time until the individual an individual’s recovery. Sometimes talking to a counselor explodes. They are unable to think rationally, and this puts or trusted friend can be a help. them at real risk of return to substance abuse. The individual • Anger management classes can be beneficial for those may decide that they no longer care about their recovery, or who regularly find themselves in trouble because of this that they want to punish other people. They can completely emotion. forget about how much they’ve wanted to build a life away • Most rehab programs will teach coping strategies for from addiction, and how much work they’ve already put into dealing with anger. it. Picking up a drink or drug again out of anger always leads • Assertiveness training can help people learn how to get to remorse afterwards. what they want without the need for tantrums. Anger is one of the steps in the relapse process. The individual gets stuck in recovery, but tries to ignore the If You Need Help with Addiction or Another situation. They fail to deal with their lack of progress, and Problem, call Archbold’s Employee Assistance frustrations build up over time. They are no longer happy Program for an appointment today at 877.327.2724 in recovery and begin to remember the good times of toll-free or 229.228.2210 in Thomasville. We offer free and substance abuse. Eventually this individual will snap, and confidential problem assessment and resolution for your they will be unable to think straight because of anger. At this organization’s employees and dependent family members. stage they will be highly likely to return to the comfort of their old addiction.

902 Cairo Road • Thomasville, GA 31792 • 229.228.2210 • 877.EAP.ARCH • www.archbold.org/eap