‎That’s Where I’m At: Unpacking Toxic Shame: A Journey to Vibrant Living with Emily on Apple Podcasts

Shame is the feeling that there’s something wrong with you. It’s not about having done something wrong (that’s guilt), no, shame arises from the core belief that you are simply not good enough. Sadly, it’s a core belief that is common among those who struggle with addiction issues. Working with a professional and doing reflective activities can help you better understand the context of your feelings and manage unhelpful thoughts that may be contributing to feelings of shame and guilt.

Legalizing vs. Decriminalizing Substances (and the Role in Public Health)

Many people use ‘guilt’ and ‘shame’ interchangeably, but they are, in fact, different. We recognize that letting go of past mistakes and accepting ourselves can be incredibly challenging. It takes time and patience to heal from these deep-seated emotions. It’s like that little voice in your head that keeps reminding you of the people you’ve hurt and the missed opportunities because of your addiction. Mindfulness can help you develop a more accepting and non-judgmental attitude toward your experiences.

• I had become the individual whom I never thought would exist.
• As someone who has gone through addiction recovery or knows someone who has, you may recognize the overwhelming and often consuming emotions of shame and guilt.
• However, addressing these emotions is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and sustaining recovery.
• As mentioned above, for the average person, those emotions can be digested.

Challenge Negative Thoughts:

But you can’t go back in time andchange what is done. Focusing on your addiction treatment and recovery is another healing practice that you can use to overcome shame as a recovering addict. These personal life improvements allow you to redeem any past mistakes that you have made, and it also helps you with proving to other people that you have truly changed your ways. In addition to this, focusing all of your time on your addiction recovery reduces the chances of a relapse. It allows you to improve your health and life overall. Alcohol and drug addictions can be damaging to those an addict is around.

Mindfulness and Meditation Practices for Shame and Guilt

It is not about the act of doing something wrong; it is the way we perceive the action and how our feelings and thoughts about the action reinforce feelings of inadequacy or inferiority. Some people spend too much time trying to avoid shame and guilt instead of seeking out pride. Devote time and energy each day toward doing something that generates guilt and shame in recovery pride. Volunteering your time, assisting a neighbor, and donating to charity are all simple options to produce new pride. Guilt usually arrives after you think you’ve made a mistake or have a sense of regret. The tendency to experience shame commonly develops during childhood and is influenced by a child’s environment and experiences.

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