A struggle with a drug or alcohol addiction is a battle for a variety of reasons. Many individuals wrestle with themselves to stop abusing and to uncover the source of their addiction. During that process, plenty of people find themselves feeling shame and self-loathing. You might even think that you deserve to feel this way. The truth is that you do not, and no one else struggling with an addiction does either. In fact, Delaware rehab centers help you to manage these feelings.
Approaches to Managing Shame and Self-Loathing
What’s important to understand here is that different rehab centers likely have their own approaches to helping you work through shame and self-loathing. In addition to the centers employing their own strategies, the professionals there also craft plans that make sense for you. In other words, the method that helps you to move away from shame might not be the exact same approach used with the next individual to enter the space. Ultimately, understand that you’ll work with the professionals at the facility to find out what works for you. Knowing some of the strategies that might be used, however, can help you to build confidence:
- Recognizing your role
- Identifying the source of the shame and self-loathing
- Focusing on and employing your positive assets
- Seeking further assistance when necessary
Recognizing Your Role
When you’re struggling with an addiction, you might feel as though everything negative happening around you is all your fault. A professional can help you to identify what is and what is not within your control. For example, you might need assistance in recognizing that an addiction is a disease and in understanding that you are worthy of receiving treatment for your disease. Understanding that your addiction is a part of you but not all of you plays an important role in moving away from your feelings of hame and self-loathing.
Identifying the Source
You also can work with the professionals to determine exactly why you feel shame. Perhaps you feel shame because you started using drugs or alcohol when you suspected that you might develop an addiction. Maybe you feel self-loathing because you hurt individuals due to your addiction. The idea here is that in order to really work on addressing your feelings of shame and self-loathing, you must identify where specifically those feelings come from. Through doing so, you can begin to address the root of the issue.
Employing Your Positive Assets
When you’re feeling shame and self-loathing, forgetting about your positive attributes is easy. In fact, you might even start to think that you entirely lack positive attributes. The professionals can help you to recall and focus on the traits about you that make you a good person. Then, you can work to nourish those traits. For example, at the rehab facility, you might work with a therapist to rekindle your talent for art or athletics. You could participate in activities that involve these skills. You may also come to recognize that you are a superb listener and can offer sound advice in certain areas of life. After your time at the rehab facility, you may then go on to help others on their own journeys. Focusing on your positive attributes can really help you to combat those feelings of shame and self-loathing.
Seeking Further Assistance
You must remember that your feelings of shame and self-loathing might return. The journey to recovery is not always an entirely upward path. You might trip along the way. The idea is that you don’t allow the trips to turn into falls. When you sense these feelings return, reach into your toolkit. If you find that you are in need of additional support, reach out to a professional at the facility. Even when you are finished with an inpatient treatment program, you can still contact the individuals and staff members who acted as a support system for you.
You might decide to continue by going to outpatient treatment, or you may want to book an appointment with a therapist from the facility. Looking into different programs is a good idea when you want to find the right fit. As you’re conducting research, take into account what you are feeling, thereby allowing yourself to find a program that will address your specific needs. Start by calling 772-266-5320 to speak with a representative who can help you to begin carving a positive path.