Uncover the Transformative Power of Journaling for Addiction Recovery: 4 Compelling Reasons

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
– Ernest Hemingway

I used to enjoy writing as much as I enjoyed outdrinking everyone around me. As a kid, I loved creating little stories and drawing pictures to go with them. I wrote countless tales of spacemen, superheroes, and cowboys, with me always playing the most handsome and heroic character, naturally.

However, writing never became an obsession for me. It never kept me awake all night or led to bar fights, job losses from swearing at people, or failed relationships. But drinking more than everyone else? That was a completely different story.

It’s ironic that my alcoholism once killed my urge to write, but now, writing helps me stay focused and positive in my recovery, especially on tough days. I’ve been sober for over six years now, thanks to a rehab center in Phoenix. My recovery includes healthy eating, daily exercise (often with my dog), and keeping a routine. Humans thrive on repetition, and I’ve made sure mine includes good habits.

As an alcoholic, I repeated each miserable day and my habits were all bad. Now, I write. I keep both a journal and a diary. The journal helps me process my racing thoughts, memories, and story ideas. The diary is a daily record of actions, important dates, and notes.

So far, I’ve filled 11 journals and seven diaries. Neither will be the last. Referring to Hemingway’s quote, I still have some metaphorical bleeding to do, but writing helps me heal. When I write, another old wound closes.

Writing has been incredibly therapeutic for me, so I wanted to share “4 Powerful Reasons Why Journaling Helps in Addiction Recovery.” Here’s why:

**1. Writing a Journal is Empowering Therapy**
Addiction is incredibly powerful. It’s a chronic, relapsing brain disorder, and the U.S. has been battling with substance use disorders for years, such as the opioid crisis. In 2017, millions of Americans struggled with opioid misuse, painkillers, and heroin (SAMHSA, 2018).

As for alcohol, my substance of choice, 14.5 million Americans in 2017 had an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Another study suggested that 1 in 8 U.S. adults met the criteria for AUD.

As an alcoholic, I felt defined by my addiction. I was isolated and unable to express myself. In the early days of recovery, I found my voice again. Expressing your thoughts and feelings in writing is incredibly empowering, providing a sense of control that addiction took away.

**2. Writing is “Craving Control”**
During early recovery, cravings were intense and scary. Writing helped me manage them. I could see when cravings would occur, what I was thinking, and how those thoughts affected me. This allowed me to predict and prepare for cravings.

**3. Writing is Beneficial for Your Brain**
Writing in a journal is scientifically proven to benefit your recovering brain. It accesses parts of your brain that speaking doesn’t. Combining writing with therapy sessions helps release past emotions and talk about future hopes more effectively.

**4. Writing about Your Hopes & Goals**
Some believe writing down your hopes releases them into the universe to come back to you. While I can’t confirm that, writing your goals is a positive step in recovery. According to Forbes, people who write down their goals achieve significantly more than those who don’t. Documenting your hopes and aspirations for the future is one of the best parts of journaling. You’ll see how they change as you progress in your recovery.

My journals are for me alone. Maybe one day someone will read them, but for now, they help me maintain sobriety. If I never drink again, I’ll have a happier life—definitely a longer one.

To recap, here are “4 Powerful Reasons Why Journaling Helps in Addiction Recovery”:
1. Writing a Journal is Empowering Therapy
2. Writing is “Craving Control”
3. Writing is Beneficial for Your Brain
4. Writing about Your Hopes & Goals

Give it a try. You might be surprised by the results. If you’ve kept a journal, please share your experience in the comments. Good luck, and I’ll end with another favorite quote about writing:

“Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.”
– Stephen King