Addiction is a damaging disease that can destroy not just your physical health but also your self-confidence and compassion. Addiction can bring about great shame and guilt; however, it’s critical you develop self-compassion in recovery so you can let go of past regrets and welcome the healthier, happier version of yourself. Keep reading to learn more about why the power of self-compassion in recovery is so important.
Outpatient LA is a top-rated outpatient drug rehab in Los Angeles that’s helped many patients safely and effectively achieve lasting sobriety. We understand that every addict’s recovery journey is going to look uniquely different. We offer a range of Beverly Hills addiction treatment options so you can receive personalized care to achieve sobriety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your recovery.
5 Ways Self-Compassion Can Help Your Recovery Journey
Developing self-compassion is critical along your road to recovery. Not only does self-compassion allow you to let go of your past mistakes, but it also helps you build confidence so you can maintain your sobriety long-term. Below are ways in which the power of self-compassion in recovery can improve your recovery journey. Self-compassion:
Quiets Your Inner Critic
First, the power of self-compassion in recovery allows you to quiet your inner critic in your head. Negative self-talk and being highly critical of yourself and others can be damaging to your recovery journey and mental health in general. While you still want to maintain a sense of accountability and set boundaries to maintain your sobriety, self compassion allows you to positively improve your recovery journey rather than being hyper-critical of yourself.
Boosts Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
Self-compassion in recovery also helps boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, which is important in maintaining long-term sobriety. Research found that people struggling with addiction experience lower levels of self-esteem. Fortunately, exercising self-compassion for yourself and how far you’ve come along your road to recovery will help grow your confidence in yourself. Not only will you be able to reflect upon your progress, but you’ll be able to use this progress as motivation to create more positive change in your life as you start to live a life free from the chains of addiction.
Enhances Ability to Set Boundaries
Self-compassion in recovery also helps you strengthen your ability to set healthy boundaries. This is because no longer will you see setting boundaries as an annoyance but as a necessary step to maintain your health and happiness. This is because when you are kind and compassionate to yourself, you no longer are willing to put up with unhealthy thoughts, experiences, or people who have the potential to cross your boundaries and jeopardize either your recovery journey or your mental health and well-being.
Releases Any Guilt or Shame From Your Past
Self-compassion in recovery also helps you release any guilt or shame for your past self. Forgiveness and compassion are closely interconnected in that you cannot exercise compassion for yourself and others if you are not willing to forgive yourself and others. In being able to forgive yourself for your past mistakes and addiction, you are letting go of feelings of pain, shame, and guilt that can keep you from truly living the free, fulfilling, and happy life that you deserve to live.
Helps You Your Unique Recovery Journey
Finally, the power of self-compassion in recovery allows you to embrace your own unique recovery journey. Comparison and seeing how far peers have come in their own recovery journeys can sometimes make you question your personal progress. However, being kind to yourself and acknowledging all the progress you’ve made in recovery will help you keep moving in the right direction and maintain lifelong sobriety.
Time to Break Free of Addiction
As you can see, self-compassion in recovery is powerful because it not only helps boost your self-confidence but enables you to release any shame or guilt so you can effectively progress along your sobriety journey. Hanging on to negative thoughts and feelings of your past life not only will hinder your progress but can potentially jeopardize your recovery journey and make you turn back to old unhealthy habits.
If you are struggling with addiction, help is available. At Outpatient LA, our compassionate team is here to help you every step of the way on your road to recovery. Gone are the days of suffering in silence with your addiction. We offer a range of treatment programs and options so you can take back control of your health and quality of life. Contact us today to learn how we can help you develop self-compassion in recovery.