08/02/2022
The Plateau Effect: 10 Ways to Get “Unstuck” in Recovery
Written by:
Kerry Nenn
Last updated on January 4, 2022
Completing a rehabilitation program is certainly not a cure-all. As someone in recovery, you will undoubtedly encounter struggles throughout your sobriety.
Even those of us who remain sober for a number of years can – and do – relapse.
The Danger of Being Stagnant in Sobriety
For recovering addicts, a stagnant state is a dangerous place to linger. In fact, the feeling of being “stuck” in the recovery process is dangerous; it’s quite simply something that cannot be ignored.
The plateau effect is defined as a state in which a recovering addict is not progressing in either a positive or negative direction. The reason for this occurrence is usually unique to the individual, but some common reasons for hitting the dreaded plateau include complacency, disappointment and lack of motivation.
The most common reason for reaching this plateau, however, is unresolved issues. Whether it’s a repressed emotion or a new hurdle that you refuse to address head on, unresolved issues can quickly lead to the destruction of all that hard work you accomplished in rehab.
Common symptoms of feeling stuck can include:
Mood swings
Increasingly pessimistic attitude
Romanticizing their drug of choice
Personal and professional relationship are becoming strained
Getting Unstuck and Back on Track
Luckily, there are a number of ways to triumph over the recovery plateau with simple, yet effective changes.