Going through recovery, you learn how to deal with struggles and shame from previous experiences. However, if you continue to struggle with shame through recovery, it may make you believe you’re doing the wrong thing, derailing your path of recovery. Understanding shame and overcoming it can push you in the right direction. There is no question if you’re doing the right thing when you’re embarking on the recovery journey. You just have to learn how to use the tools to overcome shame through recovery.
Many people susceptible to substance abuse experience high levels of blame and shame inside and outside of recovery. This can form from previous childhood experiences, personal mindsets, or current circumstances.
Regardless of the cause of the behavior, shame and guilt produce a vicious cycle that fosters continued substance use. By creating distance and rifts between our strong support systems and recovery path, shame and guilt lead to a vicious cycle, making it difficult to continue on the recovery path and creating a culture of self-degradation.
When you embark on a path of degradation, you may feel self-hatred, which could reignite destructive behaviors that don’t benefit your recovery path. It is vital to establish healthy boundaries and understand how to cope with shame and guilt in recovery to have an active and positive direction during treatment.
Shame can devastate your efforts to maintain a lasting recovery. If you learn to cultivate self-love and self-healing, you can address the shame and guilt you feel and not lose sight of your true self. You deserve to have confidence in yourself because you’re creating a meaningful existence.
Putting coping mechanisms in place and establishing strong self-love routines can recenter you with positive emotional connections in the beginning stages of recovery. This helps you address any blame or guilt from previous experiences with substance use. When you choose to have a heightened self-image, you can knock down the bricks of guilt, blame, and shame.
Shame is harmful to your continued commitment to recovery. Going through recovery is not shameful, it’s not something to blame yourself for, and it’s not something to be guilty about. You are now on a path with a positive direction that can transform your life into a meaningful existence. The negative components of shame, guilt, and blame do not have a place in the process. If you allow the guilt, blame, or shame to have a place within your being, you could put yourself at risk of relapse.
Overcome Shame With Awareness
Many people become self-conscious or even embarrassed by insecurities, mistakes, or perceptions that trigger emotional responses, such as shame and blame. When you learn to interrupt those emotional responses and open up to others by responding more efficiently, recognizing that you’re distressed, practicing self-compassion, and developing self-awareness, you are making a conscious effort to eliminate and overcome shame.
Despite the motive behind your emotions of shame and blame, adopting awareness and detecting when one of these emotions begins can help you overcome shame in treatment.
You can conquer and overcome your shame in treatment by accepting and detecting negative sensations, practicing mindfulness techniques, being vulnerable and opening up with those you trust, focusing on the here and now, and getting outside help from a therapist that can understand your situation.
Conquering shame differs from person to person. While someone may see their blame or shame clearly, some individuals need to connect with resources and tools to better themselves when feelings of shame or blame arise.
If you need help to understand and reshape yourself away from shame, a therapist is a good start to rebuilding your self-image. You can practice mindfulness techniques, find support groups, embark on positive activities, or engage in meaningful conversations.
When you can share experiences you’ve had with others who had similar experiences, you will first understand you don’t have to be defined or judged based on that information. Learning to overcome shame is a part of the recovery journey, as it is part of the steps that reveal your self-perception.
The goal of your recovery is to recognize that you’re not alone, and many other individuals struggle with similar feelings of shame or blame. Finding a strong sense of self and establishing yourself within a community can inspire you.
If you continue to feed the negative self-perception of shaming yourself or blaming yourself, you’re more likely to continue suffering in the long run. Therefore, it’s vital to fight off blame and overcome shame in the same manner that your therapist is helping fight for you and your life.
NorthStar Transitions has industry experts who understand the levels of shame and blame that come with substance use. We have a team that is built to help you overcome the toxicity of self-criticism and shame. The compassionate techniques and cutting-edge approaches in our facility equip you with the self-confidence you deserve. In addition, we help you understand the core elements of shame so that you can target them and use coping mechanisms to overcome them now and in the future. We understand you may struggle with shame and quilt. Therefore, our highly trained and passionate team is dedicated to helping you realize your full potential and walk you through any moments of negative thinking. Our facility provides individualized treatment plans geared to meet all your needs. You can learn more about our levels of care or reach out to our therapist to find the direction you deserve for a healthier, happier life today. Call us at (303) 558-6400.
