The decision to admit that you have a problem with addiction and need help is a big step. It means that you are taking control of your future and making a conscious effort to make positive changes in your life. When entering addiction treatment, many people begin to see how their behaviors and actions have negatively impacted their lives and the lives of others. This can cause feelings of shame or guilt. They know that they cannot go back and change what has already happened. However, they do have control over where they choose to go from there.
Forgiveness does not mean excusing yourself for your actions. Rather it is accepting responsibility so that you can move on. Harboring these negative feelings can detract from your ability to make the most of your recovery.
Everyone makes mistakes. You are not alone in making poor decisions. Everyone makes mistakes whether they are struggling with addiction or not. It is a natural part of life. However, addiction is a disease. Once your drinking or drug use has become an addiction, it changes the way your brain works. It is not a matter of willpower or choice to use. It is important that you be able to recognize mistakes so you can learn from them, rather than denying that there is an issue.
Learn from your mistakes. Forgiving yourself gives you the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Not only have you accepted that everyone messes up, but you are using these mistakes as lessons to help guide your future. You see the consequences and develop strategies and skills to help you reduce the risk of making the same mistake again. It can be a driving force and motivation to want to change.
Reduce negative thoughts. When you hold on to feelings of guilt, shame, or overall negativity they can take over your mind. It makes it more difficult to see the positives and accept change. By forgiving yourself, you help to cast away these troubles and begin to see things from a new perspective. This can support you in being more open to various treatment methods and strategies for recovery. It builds self esteem and gives you confidence that you can turn your life around.
Allows you to move on. You cannot change the past. All you can do is accept it, recognize your mistakes, and move on. Forgiving yourself allows you to embrace all that recovery has to offer. You may not like what you did in the past, but that does not mean that it has to become your future. You have the opportunity to start a fresh chapter in your life, overcome your addiction, and change your path. If you continue to focus on the negatives and relive the mistakes you made, it can make it harder to make the most of your recovery efforts.
If you are ready to forgive yourself and make amends in your life, Chapters Capistrano can help. Through flexible length of stay and treatment options, we create a treatment plan that works to address your needs. Make the decision today to start making changes in your life and embrace recovery for a brighter future.
