I’ve had many days when my sobriety was hanging on by a thread. One day it was a fight with a co-worker, another day it was my depression sending me down a black hole of negativity. It didn’t matter what was going on in my regular life the moment I opened the front door, that wagging tail brought me right back to a happy and calm state of mind.
Dogs don’t care if the car battery died, if we got fired, or if we’re fighting with our spouse, they are happy to be present at that moment and show unconditional love. During many of those situations, my dogs were the deciding factor for choosing to stay sober that day.
Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and service animals have become very useful and effective throughout our society. These animals, specifically dogs, help so many people on a daily basis. Service animals are incredible but we don’t need to have a trained service dog to receive the wonderful benefits these furry friends offer. We can get many of the same benefits from our loving family pets.
10 Ways Dogs Can Help During Recovery From Addiction:
- Dogs Provide A Wonderful Way To Start Our Day
- Pets Provide A Sense of Responsibility
- Dogs Show Us Unconditional Love
- Dogs Help Us Meet New People
- Pets Give Us New Ways To Exercise
- Pets Give Us Purpose
- Dogs Can Help Us With Drug/Alcohol Cravings
- Pets Help Reduce Anxiety and Depression
- Dogs Help Us Build Self Confidence
- Dogs Provide Us Judgment Free Companionship
Throughout my recovery, there have been many trials and tribulations to deal with. Without that unconditional love and affection my pooches give me, I know for a fact I would not be sober today.
1. Dogs Provide A Wonderful Way To Start The Day
My alarm is always set for 6:30 AM, at 6:25 every morning my doggie alarm goes off. This alarm consists of my rottweiler mutt, Morgan, her wagging tail, and exciting energy. This is her way of saying, “Hey you lazy bum get up and feed me, I’m hungry and I have to pee”. I absolutely love starting my day with the dog alarm. It’s a lot more peaceful to wake up to the dog’s tail than the annoying loud alarm on my phone. I always know the dogs are going to be happy and excited to start the day. Their energy is contagious.
Once I roll out of bed I always start my day with at least 5 minutes of love and affection for my 2 dogs. A few months ago I was changing my morning routine to be more efficient. The article I was reading explained how starting your day with at least 10 minutes of quality time with a family member (this includes pets), will help get your endorphins flowing for the day. This also allows you to start your day in a calm and loving manner, which can help set a positive tone for the next 24 hours.
2. Pets Provide A Positive Responsibility
Many people I have talked to view taking care of their pets as a chore. Taking care of a dog requires a fair amount of work and responsibility, but I don’t view it as a chore. I view it as a positive addition to my life that I am now responsible for. Just like changing your baby’s diapers may not be the most pleasant experience, it’s essential to the child’s health and well-being. This also allows you to spend time with them and bond.
When I have to come home on a lunch break to let the dogs out, sure it may be slightly inconvenient, but I view it as essential to their well-being, and some extra time for me to spend with them. Instead of thinking of it as an inconvenient chore, I view it as a chance to escape the rat race of daily life.
3. Dogs Show Us Unconditional Love
Dogs don’t get mad when you’re late. Dogs don’t know that you had a terrible day at work. All they know is they’re happy to see you. They know that it’s better with you there. This unconditional love our dogs show us day in and day out has a lasting effect on our overall mood.
I’m immediately in a better mood when I walk in the door and 2 tails are wagging like crazy. The pure love they show me is contagious. When I see how happy they are, I get happy and want to show them just as much love back. I have seen and experienced many times how an animal can totally turn a person’s day around.
4. Dogs Help Expand Our Social Network
One of my favorite activities is taking my dogs to the park. I always meet people at the park that are there with their own dogs. In my experience, people who take time out of their day to bring their dog to the park are usually positive people. You may meet a new exercise buddy or a potential new girlfriend/boyfriend with similar interests.
Rocovery Fitness (rocovery.org) is a fitness community here in Rochester, NY that is based on finding sobriety and recovery through fitness. They have a gym/lounge area for people in recovery to come and hang out. The owners always have their dogs at the building. The dogs help everyone enjoy the moment, relax, and connect with others.
5. Pets Give Us New Ways To Exercise
My favorite way to clear my head is walking my dogs. The real beauty is that I’m getting exercise and not even thinking about it. Having a dog is an excellent way to incorporate more activity into your life. If you are trying to lose weight, a dog can be a great inspiration to get outside more. Especially during those times when you lack motivation.
Doing fun activities with our dogs not only helps our health and the dogs health, but it also strengthens the bond we have with our furry family members.
6. Pets Give Us A Sense of Purpose
When I have to come home and let the dogs out during my lunch, it’s a responsibility, but more than that it’s a sense of purpose. I know that waiting for me at home is these 2 beautiful animals that are going to be overjoyed to see me. No matter how my day is going they’ll show me love and affection.
It can be hard to rebuild that sense of purpose in recovery. Having something to care for, gave me confidence and helped rekindle that passion and purpose in life.
7. Dogs Can Help With Drug and Alcohol Cravings
Whenever I’m having a bad drug craving, I immediately try to think about my dogs. The last time I got high I wasn’t able to see my dogs for 5 months, because my actions landed me in jail. I don’t want to go through that pain again. I also felt as if I let them both down. If I’m with one of the dogs and a craving hits, I lay with them and shower them with love. More often than not by the time I finish petting them the craving is gone.
8. Dogs Help Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Study after study has shown pet owners live longer than non-pet owners. Pets also help lower our blood pressure. The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute conducted a study, and 74% of pet owners said their pets helped improve their mental health. My dogs can sense when I’m feeling down and depressed. When they notice this they snuggle up to me on the bed. This always lifts my spirits and helps me get out of that depressive thinking.
9. Dogs Help Us Build Self Confidence
Dogs feed off our energy just like we feed off their energy. Activities like dog training, walking them, and playing games, can help build our confidence. Many people in recovery have self-esteem issues. They most likely dealt with some form of trauma during their childhood, during their addiction, or both. The responsibility that comes along with owning a pet can help build our confidence and self-esteem.
10. Dogs Provide Judgment Free Companionship
One overall theme I hear from pet owners is that their animals don’t judge them. I love hearing this because it’s so true. My dogs never judge me for eating too much. They don’t judge me for being depressed or missing a deadline at work. No matter how the day played out I can count on a friendly face to greet me with love and warmth.
Dogs can provide us with pleasure in so many ways. I am blessed to have 2 beautiful girls to wake up with every day. My dogs and dogs in general help me stay sober every day. They aid in my recovery and my overall life in so many ways.
I would highly recommend people in recovery, especially early recovery take time to consider the responsibilities of getting a pet. Make sure you are physically, mentally, and financially ready and prepared before you go out and adopt a pet. Many of us may want to run out and get an animal to help fill that void we are feeling, but it is a major commitment.