Addiction not only affects you mentally, physically, and emotionally but also damages your relationships. When chasing a high you may end up lying, stealing from your loved ones, and hiding your addiction from them. This eventually creates rifts that widen with time.
Recovering from addiction also means finding a way to overcome the shame and guilt you feel as well as the remorse and regret over your past behavior. These strategies might help:
Acknowledging your past
Recovery starts when you acknowledge your past. Accept that you did things you weren’t proud of and forgive yourself. Instead of judging yourself or wallowing in self-pity, use the regret and remorse you feel to motivate you to become a better person.
Seeking professional help
Engaging in therapy as part of a treatment program can help you deal with your painful memories. Therapy provides a safe space to explore the root causes of your behavior while equipping you with skills to prevent you from repeating the same mistakes.
Repairing relationships and making amends
Apologizing for your past behavior may be hard but it’ll go a long way towards easing your remorse and regret. A great place to start is by attending family therapy sessions with your loved ones. You’ll learn healthy ways to communicate and support each other while rebuilding frayed relationships.
Prioritize personal growth
To become a better person, prioritize your personal growth. Developing healthy habits such as getting adequate rest, eating healthy meals, exercising and meditating are great ways to take care of yourself. Coupling these habits with learning new skills and hobbies is a great way to build your self-confidence and resilience.
Develop healthy coping mechanisms
Learning healthy ways to cope with unpleasant emotions or difficult situations without reaching for a drink or drugs can help you manage the weight of remorse and regret. You can channel your emotions through music, art, journaling or even working out.
Establish a support network
Cultivating a supportive network of people you can lean on for support when feelings of remorse and regret threaten to overwhelm you. This could be your friends, family, or even your peers in recovery.
Living in the present
Perhaps the best way to overcome remorse and regret from the past is by learning to live in the present. Practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques can help you manage the emotional turmoil tied to past mistakes. By focusing on the present moment, you’ll develop greater self-awareness and detach from the burdens of the past.
Find Peace of Mind in Recovery
Living with remorse and regret can weigh you down during recovery and it’s crucial to find healthy ways to deal with it. The conducive environment coupled with the non-judgmental staff at the Robert Alexander Center for Recovery is geared towards helping individuals find inner peace during recovery. As part of our treatment programs, we empower our clients by teaching them positive communication skills and healthy ways to express their emotions. Contact us today to see how we can help you rebuild an addiction-free life.
