Sometimes people who struggle with addiction benefit from what is known as anger management. One of the reasons why someone may develop an addiction is because they don’t know how to cope with “big” emotions in a healthy way. They may believe that using substances can numb or “treat” these emotions. This is known as self-medicating, and over time it can cause dependency and addiction. Some substances, such as alcohol, can even make someone’s anger control worse, sometimes even leading to violence. Everyone needs to learn how to regulate their emotions without relying on substances to be healthy.
That’s not to say that anger is bad. Anger is an important emotion that gives people the energy to protect themselves and loved ones from harm and inequality. It becomes a problem, however, when anger is used to harm yourself and others. It’s why addiction treatment facilities like Painted Desert Recovery spend time teaching clients not just how to control their anger, but how to use it productively. When used correctly, anger can drive positive change, even when undergoing addiction treatment.
One way to learn emotional regulation is to seek therapies that can help someone make healthy changes in their life. But before someone can get treatment, they must first know when they need treatment.
Knowing When You Need Help
As mentioned before, anger isn’t inherently bad. However, it becomes a problem when someone cannot control or regulate their anger. Some major signs that can alert someone that they (or a loved one) are in dire need of anger management include:
- Feeling anger more often than other emotions
- Losing your temper or “exploding” over minor inconveniences
- Becoming verbally or physically abusive when angry
- Saying or doing things that you later regret due to anger
- Losing or negatively impacting your relationships with others because of anger
- Feeling as though your anger is out of control
- Anger worsening due to alcohol or drug use
All of these are signs that someone requires anger management or some other form of behavioral therapy. It can be difficult to come to terms with an anger problem, but it’s important to seek help. For those who are currently receiving addiction treatment, anger management may be offered as part of a client’s treatment program. Even if you don’t believe you need it, anger management can be helpful.
What to Expect in Anger Management
Anger management is a type of psychotherapy or “talk” therapy. It is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that focuses on anger. The goal at first is to help clients talk through their problems to identify what triggers their anger. Then it’s changing unhealthy thinking and behavior patterns, such as turning to substances to regulate emotions. Finally, clients learn healthy coping skills to regulate and use their anger productively. Clients can have anger management privately with their treatment provider, but it’s most often used in group therapy settings. This way clients can learn from and support each other as they work through their anger.
Part of anger management is practicing the skills learned in therapy. Role-playing is a common tool to help clients prepare for various scenarios they may encounter outside treatment. This gives them a place to practice in a safe environment with the help of mental health care professionals nearby. How long anger management takes depends on the needs of the individual. When used as part of addiction treatment, anger management usually lasts for as long as the chosen addiction treatment program. In some cases, a client may continue anger management once their addiction treatment is finished to help them transition into normal life.
Anger management is also free of judgment, especially at Painted Desert Recovery. Clients come to treatment to recover from addiction, not to be belittled. They might feel shame or embarrassment at first, as most people do when asking for help for the first time. These spaces, however, are full of respect and compassion. There is nothing to fear in anger management and addiction treatment as a whole. Go in with an open mind, and you may be surprised at what you can accomplish.
Is Anger Management Effective?
Anger management is effective, but only if someone is open to accepting treatment. It’s much like addiction treatment or any other type of mental health care. It only works if someone recognizes that they have a problem and accepts professional help. Anger management is particularly helpful as a preventative tool to teach people better communication skills. One study featured in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) outlined anger management and its usefulness for helping school-age adolescents. You may be surprised at the skills you learn in anger management and how they can affect your daily life.
Perhaps the most effective part of anger management is the ability for someone to use their anger productively. Again, anger is not inherently bad, and people are not bad because they get angry. It’s a tool used for survival just like any other emotion. When used well, anger can be a driving force of positive change.
As an example, many artists go on to use their anger to make music, paintings, and other forms of creative expression because they learn how to use their anger healthily. Because of this, art therapy is commonly used as part of anger management. Anger management doesn’t just help you regulate anger. It helps you find ways to use your anger in a way that brings you fulfillment and joy.
Anger management is a legitimate form of therapy that helps everyone, not just those who are struggling with addiction. By sticking with treatment, anyone can go on to live a happy, healthy life. It can be hard to admit when you need help, but you can always trust that Painted Desert Recovery will be there for you in your hour of need.
Anger is a normal human emotion that plays an important role in protecting ourselves and our loved ones. However, sometimes a person can have trouble regulating their anger, which can harm themselves and the people around them. It’s especially difficult when someone is struggling with addiction, as it can worsen someone’s ability to regulate their emotions. Here at Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah, clients can find comprehensive and quality addiction treatment, which includes learning how to regulate anger and other “big” emotions. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t wait to get the help you need and deserve. Call Painted Desert Recovery today at (844) 540-0353.
