Overcoming Insecurity in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a disease characterized by psychological issues and diminished feelings of self-worth. You might have started drinking to mask anxiety in social situations, or experimented with drugs to sweep despair and hopelessness under the rug. Now that you’re sober, you no longer rely on harmful substances to self-medicate negativity in your life. This National Recovery Month, how can you overcome insecurity in addiction recovery?
1. Silence Your Inner Critic
We all have a tiny voice inside our minds that provides us with feedback about the decisions we make and the way we navigate our days. If you’re feeling insecure, that voice could keep up a steady stream of negative thoughts, keeping you down when you’re trying to rise above.
When you catch your inner monologue telling you things like “You’ll never succeed in your goals” or “You don’t deserve to be happy,” stop and recognize this harmful chatter for what it is – unconstructive. Would you say such hurtful things to a friend or loved one? Of course not, so why would you talk to yourself that way? Work toward reframing your state of mind as positive, instead of self-defeating.
2. Change Your Relationships
Years of alcohol and drug use may have eroded your relationships with friends, family and colleagues. Once you start working on your sobriety, you’ll need to salvage what you can of your old relationships, while making new connections with people who understand what you’ve gone through and where you’re heading.
You might realize you need to sever ties with people who aren’t supportive, or who bring unnecessary toxicity and stress to your life. In addiction recovery, you no longer have room for anyone who contributes to your insecurity or tries to hold you back. Learn how to set sensible boundaries to keep these unhealthy people at arm’s length.
3. Set New Goals
Goal-setting is an integral part of successful addiction recovery. Goal-oriented people always have an eye toward the future, continually looking ahead to what they will accomplish tomorrow and all the days to come. Setting meaningful, realistic goals for yourself is an excellent way to overcome insecurity in addiction recovery because it won’t leave you with time to dwell on perceived failings. Instead, you’ll be thinking about all the newfound enthusiasm and motivation you have discovered.
4. Reform Your Attitude
Many insecurities stem from a feeling of being “less than.” Co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can magnify this to extremes. Instead of wasting energy beating yourself up about a perceived lack of progress, be grateful for what you’ve been able to achieve.
You may wish to keep a digital or hard-copy journal where you record your thoughts and feelings at the end of each day. This journal will eventually become a personal time capsule where you can look back at past entries and realize how much your attitude has shifted for the better.
5. Address the Root Causes of Your Addiction
Getting clean and freeing yourself from the cycle of substance abuse is a worthy goal. However, if you try to stop drinking or using without figuring out why you became addicted in the first place, you might be more vulnerable to a relapse. During therapy, your trained counselor can help you identify the underlying reasons behind your addiction and provide you with tools that help you manage your disease, address cravings and triggers and steer clear of a return to substance abuse.
Overcome Insecurity in Addiction Recovery
There is no shame in admitting you have lost control of your life and need help getting back on a healthy, productive track. Many people struggling with addiction have learned to manage their condition and discovered their best selves with evidence-based treatment.
Don’t let insecurities come between you and your ability to live a rewarding life. Contact us at Beach House to learn about our beautiful, resort-like campus and uniquely compassionate culture. We’re proud to have earned a spot in Newsweek’s 2020 ranking of the best addiction treatment centers in the U.S., and we invite you to see why for yourself.