Overcoming Shame and Guilt in Recovery

For some people, these feelings came first and they use drugs and alcohol as an escape. For example, someone who was heavily criticized as a child may use substances to temporarily cope with low self-esteem and low self-worth. Along the road to recovery, you may grapple with overwhelming feelings of shame and guilt. It’s important to recognize these emotions, as they can be barriers to progress.

Understanding how to process shame and regret via addiction recovery is critical. Guilt, shame and depression in clients in recovery from addiction is also common, requiring support for a dual diagnosis. Without these steps, addicts will struggle to forgive and forget, and will find it hard to benefit from long-term addiction recovery. While this can be difficult to initially complete, healing from previous behaviours, controlled by addictive stimuli is a must. Without overcoming shame and guilt, there is a high probability that addiction diagnoses will remain, that your emotions will continue to fuel your behaviours.

Guilt and shame in addiction recovery: 10 activities to help cope

This is an important point to make, as it underscores the value of feeling shameful and guilty. In cases where a real wrong has been committed, feelings of shame and guilt are the first step towards repairing the damage one has done. This article will discuss some psychological theories about the emotions, the internal and external experiences of shame and guilt, and finally, ways that guilt and shame can be overcome to avoid toxic and negative self-evaluations. First, though, it is important to distinguish between shame and guilt, as they are two similar but significantly different self-conscious emotions. Breaking away from shame and guilt, ready for effective addiction recovery is recommended. While it is a big step to take, emotionally, it is necessary to help you focus and appreciate impending rehabilitation steps.

Participants self-reported emotions and recent substance use behaviors over six time points across 15 months. Guilt and shame can be powerful emotions that can negatively
affect our ability to move forward in life. Holding on to feelings of guilt and
shame keeps us stuck in guilt and shame in recovery the past. Addicts generally have difficulty, especially in early recovery,
coping with any feelings that we perceive as negative. Until you develop
appropriate coping skills, it can seem like your only option is to cover up
these feelings by returning to your addiction.

The role of shame and guilt in addiction recovery and beyond

Overcoming shame and guilt is essential for successful addiction recovery, but it is not easy. Here we review excellent, practical suggestions for dealing with guilt, another tool in addiction recovery from someone who knows. One of our expert contributors explains processes and perspectives he uses regularly in his own practice of treating substance abuse problems. And we invite your questions about emotional issues, psychological, or even physical issues (such as coping with drug or alcohol cravings) in the comments section at the end. There are many damaging and negative stereotypes out there about people recovering with addiction, but I won’t mention any of them here. These can increase or perpetuate the feelings of shame during rehab.

This can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing shame and guilt, as it allows them to acknowledge these feelings without becoming overwhelmed or mired in self-blame. DBT for shame and guilt often involves group therapy sessions where clients practice applying DBT skills in role-plays and other experiential exercises. The therapist also provides individual coaching between sessions to support clients in using these skills in real-life situations. If you were abused as a child and then repeated the cycle of abuse with your own children, it is vital that you gain some self-understanding.

Data analysis

When situations arise and you are unsure
what the correct thing to do is, consult your value system and act within these
guidelines. If you do not have a guideline for certain situations, think the
situation through thoroughly weighing the pros and cons of different courses of
action. Once you determine the correct course of action, add this situation to your
value system. If a similar situation arises in the future, you will know what
action to take.

• However now we know that they play a valuable role in creating emotional balance.
• When shame becomes part of your self-identity, it can prevent you from moving forward in recovery.
• By enabling both emotions, the churn of addictive behaviours will continue.
• Joining a 12-Step Program for Continued Support can be an effective way to receive ongoing assistance throughout the recovery process.

I make a conscious decision to better
myself so I don’t commit this wrong again. The next time I think of stealing
something, I remember how I processed the wrong and I choose not to steal anything. I have faced my wrong and taken action to correct it in the future. I make
every attempt in life to stick to my value that stealing is wrong. This worksheet is not explicitly about guilt or shame, but since research has shown that mindful breathing can help relieve feelings of shame (Keng & Tan, 2017), it might be helpful. This worksheet will help anyone start a mindful breathing practice, no matter their level of mindfulness knowledge.

Those who have had an active addiction often battle guilt and shame.

Many people list issues with “guilt and shame” as a critical factor related to substance abuse issues and addiction. Therefore, learning to cope with guilt and shame cane be an integral part of the healing process for many individuals. Interestingly, the words guilt and shame are often used interchangeably.