Shame can be caused by a wide range of factors — such as trauma or challenging social environments — and often causes feelings of deep inadequacy, lack of worth and the need to hide. It can trigger a dependency on alcohol or drugs as a method of escape. Shame and guilt are often used interchangeably but are in fact not the same. While guilt acknowledges negative feelings over an action taken, shame tells you that as a result of this action, you’re not a good enough person. Shame and addiction — what a tragically intertwined pair. Here we’ll explore the concepts of shame and addiction — and how you or a loved one can find healing from shame throughout recovery.

And so I realize it’s definitions, but it’s really important that at least people understand the way I’m defining them. Naturally, you’ll also need to learn to overcome shame as you progress through recovery. No amount of self-punishment will ever feel like enough, and you will get caught up in the cycle of reliving bad memories and engaging in negative self-talk.

Why People Feel Shame in Recovery

Highly shame-prone individuals sometimes find it challenging to benefit from traditional cognitive behavioral therapies and may benefit from a compassion-focused approach. Shame, at its core, canconvince many that they are bad or wrong. Some may feel shame even after correcting a misdeed or even for no reason at all. If shame is left untreated, it can fester and progress into more serious mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

• A lot of people thought that addiction was a failure of morals and should be a cause for shame.
• Shame and addiction — what a tragically intertwined pair.
• I think about this sometimes and I would say this to parents, is that when your son or daughter is trapped in an addictive cycle, you can bet your bottom dollar.
• Some may feel shame even after correcting a misdeed or even for no reason at all.

Feeling shame can be destructive and can serve as a relapse trigger, which is why addressing it in early recovery is critical. It can be easy to continue being over-critical of yourself and who you were while struggling with addiction. However, no one deserves to guilt and shame in recovery be overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and shame. Realizing that these emotions are self-destructive to your recovery process is the first step to overcoming shame and guilt. One important strategy for dealing with guilt is changing the way you speak to yourself.

Acknowledging and Releasing Guilt and Shame in Addiction Recovery

Our addiction specialists are here to help 24/7. Give us a call and we can help find the right treatment program for you or your loved one – even if it’s not ours! Things happen, mistakes are made, and only those who never try are truly lost. As you are progressing through recovery and asking others for forgiveness and understanding, have that same conversation with yourself. Learn to love yourself again and you will be more open to loving others. Do not stress about and continue to shame yourself over mistakes you have made.

They can be experienced after doing something harmful or embarrassing. However, for those in treatment for substance use disorder, there are significant differences between guilt and shame. It isn’t easy to acknowledge the mistakes made while in active substance use.

Trauma Therapy: 8 Things You Need To Know About Trauma Therapy

People cope with shame and addiction in different ways. Some turn to perfectionism, trying to ensure that everything they do is without fault and above reproach. Others struggle with low self-esteem and may seem to have an incredibly people-pleasing personality.