Addressing negative thought patterns during recovery unlocks ingrained elements of your core beliefs. Every human is influenced by the world, other people, their own circumstances, and their mind. Core beliefs can lead to an inaccurate view of real life, causing negative cognitive behaviors if they are left unmanaged or shaped by the wrong influences. It is vital in the recovery process to look beyond negative core beliefs to learn how to respect yourself now and in the future.
A core belief is a statement or idea that is ingrained or embedded within ourselves. It is essentially a fixed thought, feeling, or sense that we have about ourselves. Core beliefs usually originate from early childhood experiences and may develop into assumptions about situations in our life.
Going through life and experiencing different circumstances, you are going to judge and interpret different meanings than other people do. Core beliefs encourage curiosity, typically involving an inner monologue that may be supportive or unsupportive.
For example, you may recall a situation where you felt helpless or unloved when you were a child. This experience may have caused you to adopt a negative core belief that everyone with certain behaviors, attributes, or actions is going to make you feel helpless and unloved. On the other hand, you may recall a positive experience with your family as a child that made you feel exceptionally smart or happy. Your core belief in that type of experience was established on a positive note.
Some types of negative core beliefs can include feeling unworthy, needing to be perfect, believing that no one wants to hear what you think, accepting that life is unfair, worrying that you’ll be rejected, and more. Positive core beliefs can include believing that you’re loved, and the world is safe, feeling like you are free and happy with the way you are, thinking that people understand you, or knowing that you’re not worthless.
Core beliefs are statements used to identify our different experiences and thoughts, feelings, or senses about how we feel about ourselves. Changing core beliefs requires you to think differently. They play a huge role in the recovery process.
The difficulties of those struggling with substance use usually include challenges with the heavy burdens they carry. Each individual who goes through the recovery process is unique and has different circumstances that may lead to depression, low self-esteem, or feelings of helplessness.
Some people do not know how to fuel a healthy relationship or behavior and turn towards substance use to help them cope with their burdens. Substance use fuels negative core beliefs, making it vital to understand due to the huge role that it plays in the recovery process. The recovery process fuels positive core beliefs and alters the negative ones.
The recovery journey is hard, and altering your core beliefs to identify situations, relationships, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, or behaviors tied to substance use supplements the other work done in recovery. The recovery process uses evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to unwind negative core beliefs and replace them with positive core beliefs. By altering your core beliefs in a positive direction, you can have the respectful and healthy life you deserve.
Core beliefs affect the recovery process because they help you understand and combat the negative outlook you have on yourself, promoting a faster and more positive approach to healing. With professional guidance, dedication, and transparency, you can transform your core beliefs and thinking to be more empowering.
Changing your core beliefs in the right direction during recovery is absolutely possible. Those with undiagnosed mental health disorders or those suffering from substance use disorders may have a hard time navigating life while coping with their negative core beliefs. Evidence-based treatments provide a release and encourage a positive response. These treatments can help you navigate through your negative core beliefs and replace them with a positive momentum shift.
Some ways you can manage core beliefs in your life include:
Core beliefs are challenging to alter, especially on your own. Even when you choose to adjust your thoughts and emotions about what you’re going through, sometimes the core belief is misdirected. However, talking with friends, peer groups, or a therapist helps you re-evaluate the core beliefs where they started. Every individual across the world can alter negative core beliefs and redirect them into positive thinking.
The road of recovery secures everything from your initial core beliefs to the future ambition you have for yourself. Over time, and with the right guidance, you can look beyond your negative core beliefs, redirecting them to new, more positive core beliefs. Your core beliefs are going to play a large role in your recovery path. They will help motivate you to stay on this healthier path. There are a variety of therapeutic approaches to help you navigate beyond negative core beliefs and rediscover yourself at NorthStar Transitions. We care about what you think of yourself and help you fight life’s challenges. We know that you have already gone through a lot and carry enormous burdens. We are here for you through your entire recovery process, and if you need more help or additional information on how to combat your negative core beliefs and recovery, contact us at (303) 558-6400.
