You may be asking if substance abuse treatment in West Palm Beach can improve your emotional intelligence? And just what is emotional intelligence? EQ, or emotional intelligence, is the ability to manage your emotions with understanding, using them during challenging times, in a more positive way. Addiction can influence emotional intelligence in very negative ways. In regards to your own EQ, we want to help you improve it as well as leave addiction behind through treatment. Some signs of emotional intelligence can be found with the following positive actions:
- You think about the feelings of others
- You pause before acting
- You strive to have control over your thoughts
- You see criticism as beneficial
- You are authentic and real
- You have empathy for others
- You give praise as well as feedback that is helpful
- You can say you are sorry
- You forgive and forget
- You keep your commitments
- You offer help to others
Self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management are all skills that are part of your emotional intelligence. Identifying emotions as well as regulating them plays a huge role. Using emotions positively, after understanding them, is also a part of high emotional intelligence.
How Emotional Intelligence Can Be Improved With Treatment
Tools for learning the skills of emotional intelligence may be part of recovery treatment. Through individual and group therapy, mindfulness and meditation and a range of holistic therapies, one learns more about themselves as well as learns why they fell into the trap of addiction. You may not be able to cope with emotions; turning to substance abuse is the result.
Therapy used in treating addiction helps you discover and recognize emotions and, at the same time, reduce your stress levels. Treatment also gives you abundant coping skills while learning new behaviors, such as using humor in times of stress or being able to read the body language of others without verbal communication. Treatment centers may offer a dual diagnosis program to treat substance abuse as well as mental health issues. Some of the evidence-based therapies used in rehab include:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- 12-Step programs: AA and NA
Group therapy or meetings such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) offer a chance to learn skills associated with conflict resolution and the challenge it presents. Life becomes smoother for those in recovery, as they confidently and effectively learn to deal with conflict, which can be a part of everyday life. While in treatment, techniques to deal with stress, in addition to such programs as music and art therapy and yoga, can be the following:
- Exercise
- Walking or hiking in nature
- Talking to peers
- Relaxation techniques
Learning to listen is another result of attending group therapy or meetings. Previously self-obsessed and pretending to listen while addicted, you will be in groups that offer a chance to learn to focus on the words that others are saying, while giving them the space to say what they need to say. Improving relationships, while diffusing conflict is part of EQ and is practiced in the group setting. Recognizing others and their emotions is a large part of emotional intelligence; you can learn to recognize your own emotions as well.
Coping strategies are part of learning to live with the challenges of life and not running away; obstacles in your path help you to grow and are part of life. Emotional intelligence recognizes this, and becoming sober becomes easier, as strong emotions become less strong, and new pathways to solutions are seen. Emotional intelligence, through treatment in West Palm Beach, will be increased as you learn to navigate the emotions of living and the challenges presented along the way. Don’t let addiction to alcohol or drugs rule your life. Get smarter with treatment as you gain insight and the ability to cope with a variety of situations, without harmful substances. We have counselors waiting to take your call 24/7, so give us a call at 833-846-5669, and we’ll get you on the path to a more positive life with better choices based on emotional intelligence.