What emotion is predominantly felt during the Impact of Illness/SUD stage?

During the Impact of Illness/Substance Use Disorder (SUD) stage, individuals often experience a sense of being overwhelmed by the disabling power of their condition. This emotion arises from the realization of how significantly the illness or addiction can affect various aspects of their life, including relationships, work, and personal well-being. It is a time of grappling with the reality of the situation, often leading to feelings of despair and helplessness.

Recognizing this feeling is crucial for peer recovery support specialists, as it highlights the importance of providing empathy and understanding during this challenging phase. Support from peers can help individuals navigate these overwhelming feelings and encourage them to seek the hope and resources needed for recovery, which are often not as prominent at this stage. The emotion of being overwhelmed is foundational in the recovery journey as it can lead to the motivation necessary to address and confront the challenges of the illness or addiction moving forward. Having this understanding allows peer specialists to better support individuals as they begin to explore pathways to recovery and healing.