Tag Archives: guilt

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

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April is Alcohol Awareness Month — a time to take stock in accomplishments with sobriety and acknowledge those still struggling with substance use disorder. Started in the late 1980s by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, this month pays respect to everyone struggling with the effects of alcohol and its aftermath. Drinking alcohol is […]

Shame and Guilt in Addiction

Experiencing shame and guilt is a common part of addiction, recovery, and life itself. When you fixate on failed relationships, lost opportunities, or missed connections, it can become a never-ending cycle of negativity. However, this fails to acknowledge your full journey.  If you begin to envision your life after recovery, you may start to see […]

Why Do I Feel So Misunderstood?

As you begin your recovery journey, there may be indications that make you realize that you feel misunderstood. Feeling your feelings for the first time can reveal a great deal, including knowing that being misunderstood is nothing new. Your self-perception of not fitting in or that everyone is out to get you may have kept […]

Will I Ever Repair the Damage of My Past?

Shame and guilt are some of the worst feelings. In fact, you may have continued to drink alcohol and use drugs to avoid having to deal with these types of feelings altogether. Numbing out is what your addiction pulls you to do instead of trying to repair the damage of the past. The longer you […]

How Do I Replace Guilt With Gratitude?

The things that you did when you were drinking and using were probably pretty shameful and degrading. In fact, the more you think about these things you may find yourself shuddering in complete disgrace. Rather than stay stuck in the place of a guilty conscience, you should replace your personal culpability with some gratitude. Although […]

Why Must I Share My Story in Recovery?

Why Must I Share My Story in Recovery?

Talking about your addiction may be embarrassing and daunting for you to fathom. Opening up to others about where the depths of drugs and alcohol take you is probably not on your list of things to do. Sharing your story is not solely for the advantage of others, though, because you will also benefit. Becoming […]