Introverts navigate the world differently than extroverts. While an extroverted person might feel energized by spending time with lots of people in a variety of social situations, an introverted person might feel energized by spending time alone or with just a few close friends in quiet, thoughtful conversation. Arguably, the world is largely built for extroverts—even when it comes to recovery from a substance use disorder.
But substance use disorders can, of course, afflict anyone—extroverts and introverts alike. If you are an introvert, you might find that you need some good strategies to make key aspects of the recovery journey work for you.
Fortunately, we are here to help.
Introverts and Group Therapy
In a rehabilitation program like the one offered at Wooded Glen Recovery Center, group therapy is a key part of the system intended to get you ready to return to your daily life. One of the real advantages of group therapy is that each person who participates truly understands what other members of the group have gone through—and are going through as new sober individuals. That fosters real empathy and a supportive environment to work through challenges and celebrate successes together.
However, group therapy can be a challenge for an introvert for many reasons, including feelings of anxiety that may arise in a setting that includes a lot of people. An introvert might find it hard to share their feelings and concerns and might struggle to offer support to others via conversation or group exercises.
Being honest with your therapist and with the group at large is a great way to build trust in group therapy. Odds are you are not the only person in the session who is feeling uncomfortable. Being upfront about your discomfort can, oddly enough, help you—and others—feel more comfortable. Be patient with yourself, and do your best to participate in group therapy for your own sake and for the sake of others who can benefit from your participation.
Introverts and Recovery Meetings
Most everything we have written above about group therapy applies to 12-Step and other recovery meetings. The big difference is that group therapy in rehab is generally mandatory, but recovery meetings require a real ongoing commitment on your part.
That can be difficult for an introvert, so we suggest finding ways to make the meeting feel smaller. That might mean something as simple sitting with the same couple of people each time you attend. It might also mean leaning into your relationship with your sponsor or recovery mentor so that you can discuss challenges and questions (and successes, too!) in a less crowded environment.
Attending recovery meetings is key to shoring up your sobriety. For the introverted, the trick is finding effective ways to make those meetings manageable and useful. As with group therapy, reminding yourself that your willingness to participate can help others can be a useful technique.
Introverts in Daily Life
As we have noted, many introverted individuals find themselves swimming upstream in a river filled with extroverts. That can be a source of ongoing anxiety—and anxiety is generally the enemy of sustained sobriety. So a person in recovery from a substance use disorder who happens to be an introvert needs to find ways to address that anxiety.
That might mean practicing mindfulness, employing box breathing or countdown techniques, and the like. But it might also mean talking honestly with the people in your life about your needs as an introvert.
For example, could you politely tell the co-worker who has a habit of showing up in your doorway and interrupting you that you find that distracting? You might have to remind that individual several times that you would prefer to, say, set up a regular meeting in place of the pop-ins. Or you might need to shut your door more often or create “office hours” when you are more open to interruption. Doing so can go some distance toward lowering your anxiety and protecting your sobriety.
The annoying coworker is, of course, just one example among many. If you are an introvert in recovery, you might benefit from really focusing on the people and the situations that make you uncomfortable and then working to find ways to ameliorate that discomfort. After all, thinking things through and finding solutions tend to be things introverts do well.
You should also be sure to notice the people and situations that make you feel good and safe. Those are people and things that support your sobriety.
We Can Help You Get and Stay Sober
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center, we get to know each person we serve so that we can design personalized treatment programs that serve your specific needs. Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, we can help you reclaim your sobriety and learn the strategies you will need to maintain that sobriety over time.
We offer inpatient, outpatient, and virtual treatment options—all of which are grounded in evidence-based practices and informed by our experience, expertise, and empathy. If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, Wooded Glen Recovery Center (located in Henryville, Indiana) can help.