Half Ready, Half Afraid…..
Hello, Mindful Recovery Hub community!
Let’s get real for a moment.
Have you ever said:
“I know I need to change… but I’m not ready.”
Or
“I want recovery… but I also miss using.”
That tug-of-war inside you? That’s ambivalence. And guess what? It’s completely normal in addiction recovery.
Ambivalence doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you’re human.
Today, we’re talking about how to move through that stuck space and build real, lasting motivation in addiction recovery.
What Is Ambivalence in Recovery?
Ambivalence is when two competing desires live in the same space:
- You want sobriety.
- You don’t want to give up what feels familiar.
It’s the tension between comfort and growth. Between fear and hope.
The role of motivation in recovery becomes crucial right here because motivation is what tips the scale toward change.
But let’s be honest: motivation is not magic. It’s something we build.
Why Motivation Matters So Much
The importance of motivation in sobriety can’t be overstated. Motivation affects:
- Your willingness to attend therapy
- Your engagement in addiction treatment
- Your response to triggers
- Your resilience after setbacks
Simply put, how motivation affects recovery determines how you respond when things get hard.
And things will get hard. That’s reality.
But here’s the empowering part: motivation isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill.
💬Quick Self-Check: Are You Feeling Ambivalent?
How to Start Overcoming Ambivalence
Let’s get practical. These are real motivational strategies for recovery that actually work.
1️⃣ The Two-List Exercise (No Judgment Allowed)
Draw two columns:
Column A: What I get from using
Column B: What it costs me
Be brutally honest.
Now ask yourself:
Which list reflects the life I truly want?
This exercise strengthens motivation and addiction treatment outcomes because it helps your brain connect actions to consequences.
2️⃣ Connect to Your “Why”
You don’t stay sober because you “should.”
You stay sober because something matters to you.
Ask yourself:
- Who am I becoming in recovery?
- What do I want my future to look like?
- What relationships matter most?
Building motivation in recovery starts with clarity.
If your “why” makes you emotional, you’re on the right track.
3️⃣ Shrink the Goal (Seriously)
Ambivalence often grows when goals feel overwhelming.
Instead of:
“I’ll never drink again.”
Try:
“I won’t drink today.”
Instead of:
“I need to fix my entire life.”
Try:
“I’ll make one healthy choice this afternoon.”
This is how you practice how to stay motivated during recovery by focusing on today, not forever.
Motivation Is Not Constant And That’s Okay
Let’s clear something up:
No one feels motivated every day.
The key to staying motivated in addiction recovery is not chasing motivation, it’s building habits that carry you when motivation dips.
That’s where structure, support groups, therapy, and peer support come in.
Consistency beats intensity every time.
💡 3-Day Motivation Reset Challenge
Try this:
Day 1: Write down your top 3 reasons for recovery.
Day 2: Share one reason with someone you trust.
Day 3: Take one small action aligned with your “why.”
Notice the shift.
Small action reduces ambivalence.
Action creates clarity.
🌿 Person-Centered Reminder
Ambivalence doesn’t cancel your commitment.
Doubt doesn’t erase your desire.
Struggle doesn’t invalidate your progress.
You can feel uncertain and still move forward.
You can feel tempted and still choose differently.
You can feel tired and still stay committed.
Recovery is not about eliminating ambivalence.
It’s about choosing your values despite it.
💙 Final Reflection
Right now, ask yourself:
What version of me do I want to strengthen today?
The one that leans toward comfort?
Or the one that leans toward growth?
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to take the next honest step.
Ambivalence is part of the journey.
But motivation when nurtured will carry you through.
With strength and compassion,
Dami @ Mindful Recovery Hub