The road to recovery can be filled with many ups and downs. Not only can it be difficult to accept you have a drug problem and seek help for it, it can also be difficult overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery. Unfortunately, many people in recovery may experience feelings of shame or worthlessness for struggling with addiction. However, it’s critical to understand your addiction does not define you! In this article, you’ll learn more about overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery below.
At East Coast Recovery Center, we are a premier recovery center in Massachusetts that offers personalized addiction treatment and mental health care support. We provide tailored addiction treatment so patients can receive the unique care they need to best meet their recovery needs. Ready to lead a healthier, happier quality of life free from the chains of addiction? Contact us today!
5 Effective Ways to Overcome Self-Stigma in Recovery
Many people in recovery can struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, or worthlessness because of their past history with drug addiction. While you cannot control what others think about you, you can control what you think about yourself and how you respond to these negative feelings and thoughts patterns. Below are several ways for overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery so you can effectively progress along your recovery.Â
- Recognize That Your Addiction Does Not Define You
First, it’s critical to understand that your addiction does not define who you are. Addiction is a complex brain disease that many people struggle with. Millions of people struggle with drug addiction each year. It’s important to understand that addiction is a disease, not who you are.Â
- Learn More About How Addiction Is a Brain Disease
Another effective way to overcome self-stigma in recovery is by learning more about addiction from a scientific perspective. Some people hold an incorrect assumption that overcoming addiction takes having enough willpower. However, addiction is a brain disease that involves steps toward safely and effectively detoxing and achieving sobriety. This is why it’s critical to seek professional help if you are struggling with addiction.
- Identify and Address Negative Thought Patterns
It’s also important to identify, address, and stop any negative thought patterns or beliefs associated with you and your addiction. For example, if you feel like you are worthless because of your addiction, it’s important to stop ruminating about that negative thought and replace it with a positive thought pattern. This will help train your mind to stop ruminating negative thoughts that can potentially sabotage your recovery journey and increase your risk of relapsing.
- Ask For Help From Others
Overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery can also look like asking for help from others. If you feel comfortable doing so, consider asking for help with trusted friends, family members, or a mental health professional as you progress along your recovery journey. Opening up about these feelings of shame or guilt, rather than bottling them up can greatly help identify and address them.
- Listen to Stories From Others Who’ve Overcome Addiction
Hearing others’ stories of how they’ve overcome addiction, and sharing your own story with other individuals can also help you overcome self-stigma and any shame you feel about your addiction. Oftentimes, feelings of shame or guilt can be isolating, so it’s important to listen to individuals who share similar experiences while also sharing your own story with other people who may be struggling with addiction so they feel less alone, which ultimately helps to lower the stigma of addiction.
Top-Rated Drug Rehab in Massachusetts
Now you know more about overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery. Many people in recovery can fall into the trap of listening to negative thoughts that they are unworthy or not good enough because they struggle with addiction. However, self-stigma only holds yourself back from leading a healthier, happier life. The above ways for overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery will help reduce feelings of shame or guilt you may be struggling with so you can effectively progress along your road to recovery.Â
At East Coast Recovery Center, we understand that each patient’s recovery journey is uniquely different. That’s why we offer a wide variety of treatment programs and therapies, from family therapy to trauma treatment and more, so you can receive the personalized treatment you need to best overcome your addiction, improve your mental health and wellness, and lead a better life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help support your recovery journey!
