It can be very difficult to move forward from losing a loved one. For some individuals, it can feel as if a rug has been pulled straight from beneath their feet. The rug is gone, their feet are cold, and they are forced to move forward while feeling broken. After losing a significant other, many individuals begin to deal with the five stages of grief and loss alone.
However, facing the five stages of grief alone can often lead one down undesirable paths. These can include the path to addiction or self-harm. Fortunately, the Grief and Loss Treatment Program with 12 South Recovery can teach individuals effective and safe ways to cope with their emotions and move forward.
What Exactly Is Grief?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an individual may feel severe grief as a response to mourning over a devastating loss. One may feel grief due to losing a job, experiencing a confusing divorce, and especially the catastrophic loss of a loved one who has passed away. Once an individual is faced with the devastating news of losing a loved one, they may experience a whirlwind of emotions that can manifest in many different ways. Complex emotions and behaviors that may arise can include intense feelings of:
- Helplessness
- Shock
- Emptiness
- Sadness
- Confusion
- Anger or rage
- Hopelessness
An individual may experience changes in their:
- Appetite
- Energy level
- Mood
- Sleep patterns
The Five Stages of Grief
A majority of clinicians follow the grief cycle model created by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, author of On Death & Dying. This model is often referred to as the five stages of grief. The stages can be applied to individuals who are either grieving over a dreadful loss or facing death themselves.
The length of time it takes for an individual to recover from losing a loved one is different for everyone. For those who have not experienced grief, it can take much longer than expected as they gain coping skills.
Generally speaking, the five stages of grief include:
1. Denial: Refusal to accept reality
2. Anger: Feeling a sense of bringing wrath upon someone, something, or God/fate
3. Bargaining: Trying to make a deal with God, such as “I promise to always be loving if you bring them back” or asking to remain friends with an ex-lover
4. Depression: Acceptance with emotional attachment
5. Acceptance: Ultimate acceptance and moving forward
Self-Help Strategies to Cope With Grief and Loss
Although an individual may have gone through each stage of grief, unwanted triggers can still be problematic. Certain songs, birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries can trigger heartbreak. The season change leading up to the month a loved one passed can be mentally crippling for some individuals as well. Triggers can feel very uncomfortable and can lead to relapse if one is in recovery.
Moreover, the phases of grief can negatively impact an individual’s ability to function on a daily basis. Grief can also cause an individual to sometimes question their spirituality. Fortunately, practicing a few self-help strategies can help a person better manage their mental health. These strategies may include:
- Learning to acknowledge the pain
- Understanding that the grieving process is unique for everybody
- Finding support from friends and family
- Attending church or spiritual centers
- Participating in sober activities
- Staying active for a healthy distraction
- Practicing a structured self-care routine
- Seeking professional help
Risks of Grief and Loss Left Unaddressed
Grief can manifest in several different ways. When grief is left unaddressed for a prolonged period, an individual may begin to isolate themselves from others, discontinue doing what they once enjoyed, misuse drugs or alcohol, or stop eating.
Untreated grief can lead to co-occurring conditions such as substance use disorder (SUD), depression, anxiety, and fear of losing another loved one. Facing challenges with grief can negatively impact current relationships, an individual’s work ethic, and negatively interfere with one’s academic progress.
Everyone deserves to heal and get back on track to a stable lifestyle. When grief manifests in negative ways, choosing mental health treatment can help one safely recover from the tragic loss of a loved one.
Finding Peace With 12 South Recovery’s Grief and Loss Treatment Program
Choosing to move forward with 12 South Recovery can significantly improve an individual’s quality of life. Many benefits that can be derived from participating in our Grief and Loss Treatment Program. Support from family and friends can certainly be helpful. Still, professional assistance is sometimes needed, and there is no shame in that.
Our team works hard to provide emotional and professional support, guidance, and a safe environment to help anyone recover from grief and loss. Our mental health team helps individuals work through their emotions and experience the five stages of grief with compassionate support. We offer various therapeutic methods that can suit anyone regardless of the nature of their grief. A few of the beneficial modalities we offer include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Psycho-drama therapy
As a licensed and Joint Commission-accredited mental health treatment center, 12 South Recovery is a leader in Orange County mental health treatment. We understand that the pain of loss can be all-consuming, making professional support from a Grief and Loss Treatment Program a crucial resource. In our program, we teach individuals effective ways to navigate their emotions during the five stages of grief. Aside from our Grief and Loss Treatment Program, we offer a comprehensive Dual Diagnosis Program designed to address the unique needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders such as addiction or depression arising from grief and loss. If you or a loved one are seeking professional support, call us at (888) 830-8374 to learn more.
