Fleur and Phoebe Getting clean isn’t always a straight path. Some days feel strong and clear. Others feel heavy, confusing, or just plain hard. People talk a lot about the start of recovery—making the decision to stop using. But what happens after that is just as important. And it doesn’t always go the way people expect.
Recovery can be amazing. But it can also be messy. There are setbacks, tough emotions, and times when it feels easier to go back to old habits. That doesn’t mean failure. It means being human. What matters most is learning how to keep going, even when it gets hard.
When the Thing That Helped Becomes a Problem
Some people start recovery with the help of medications. Methadone is one of the most common. It’s often used to treat opioid addiction. At first, it can help a lot. It keeps withdrawal symptoms away and makes it easier to stay away from more dangerous drugs.
But there’s a side people don’t always talk about. Over time, methadone can start to feel like another trap. The body gets used to it. Quitting becomes hard. And that same feeling of dependence comes back. It’s just wrapped in something that was supposed to be helpful.
That’s why some people end up needing support from programs like methadone rehab. These programs help people step away from methadone safely. They guide them through withdrawal and teach better ways to handle the emotional side of recovery too.
It’s not about judging someone for using methadone. It’s about helping when that help turns into something else.
When the Emotions Hit Hard
One of the hardest parts of recovery is learning how to feel again. Drugs cover things up. They block pain, fear, sadness, and sometimes even joy. Once the drugs are gone, all those emotions come rushing back.
At first, it can feel overwhelming. A person might cry more, get angry faster, or feel numb in moments where emotions are supposed to show up. That’s all part of the brain trying to reset itself.
This is where support really matters. Talking to someone—a counselor, a group, even a trusted friend—helps take pressure off. It makes it clear that those feelings are normal. They don’t last forever. But they’re part of what makes healing real.
When Setbacks Happen
Setbacks are common in recovery. They don’t mean someone’s hopeless. They just mean something didn’t work that time.
A setback might look like taking a drug again. Or skipping a therapy session. Or shutting down emotionally. It can be small or big. But either way, it’s not the end.
What matters is what happens after. People who get through recovery long-term are the ones who don’t give up when things fall apart. They pause, figure out what triggered it, and try again.
Some of the strongest people in recovery have been through setbacks. It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about not quitting.
When People Don’t Understand
Not everyone will get it. Some people might say things like “Why can’t you just stop?” or “You were doing so well.” That can hurt. It can make someone feel worse instead of better.
But those comments usually come from people who don’t know how recovery works. They don’t see the brain changes or emotional battle happening inside.
That’s why finding the right people matters. People who actually understand. Other people in recovery. Therapists who specialize in addiction. Friends who listen instead of judge. Even online support groups can help.
Being around people who get it makes recovery feel less lonely.
When the Body Feels Tired
Addiction wears the body out. And recovery isn’t always kind to it at first either. Withdrawal takes energy. Sleep might be weird. Eating can feel hard. Movement feels slow.
But little by little, the body heals. It just takes time.
Doing simple things—like drinking water, walking, resting when needed—helps the body recover. Nobody has to run a marathon or eat perfectly. It’s just about giving the body the chance to catch up.
The more care the body gets, the easier it is for the brain to stay steady too.
When It Starts to Feel Worth It
Even with all the ups and downs, there are moments when recovery feels real. Waking up clear-headed. Laughing for no reason. Finishing a full day without the urge to use. Those moments might feel small, but they’re huge.
They show that change is possible. That it’s working.
And the more someone sticks with it, the more those moments show up. They start adding up. They become part of everyday life instead of something rare.
That’s when recovery goes from being something someone is trying to something they’re living.
Keep Going—Even Through the Mess
Recovery isn’t perfect. It’s not supposed to be. It’s a process. One step forward, two steps back, then five more forward again.
Messy doesn’t mean wrong. It means real.
Whether someone’s dealing with methadone, another drug, or just the emotional weight of life, the path forward is still there. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to need breaks. It’s okay to fall apart sometimes.
What matters most is not staying stuck. Because every single time someone gets back up, they’re proving that recovery is still possible. And that’s what keeps them moving.
