Understanding Addiction: Beyond the Physical
Throughout February, we’ve covered various topics focused on love in recovery – from extending self-compassion for our past mistakes and releasing shame from relapse to the strength in vulnerability and using love as a building block for connection. As we wrap up our series around love, we want to share a few ways you can practice self-love in your recovery journey today!
When it comes to understanding addiction, it’s important to remember that it’s a complex condition that transcends physical dependency, as it’s almost always deeply rooted in emotional and psychological factors. For many, substance use is a response to pain, trauma, or voids within; however, in exchange for a temporary escape, it ultimately leads to deeper entanglement. Recognizing this pattern is crucial, as the battle against addiction isn’t simply about abstaining from substances but rather focusing on inner healing.
The pathway to inner healing is multi-faceted, as it often involves a variety of treatments, resources, and services tailored to the individual and their specific needs. While everyone’s journey is unique in experiencing different pains and traumas, one act everyone can glean from is practicing self-love.
The Role of Self-Love in Recovery
For many of us caught in the cycle of addiction, self-hatred is often our default. Deep down, we know we need to make a change, but one wrong mistake can lead us into a downward spiral of negative self-talk and emotionally abusing ourselves into using more. But that’s the lie addiction tells us. Rather than accepting our mistakes, it leads us to believe we are the mistake and that we’ll never amount to anything or are not worthy of connection.
You may be in this cycle, questioning your worth and value. You may be telling yourself you’re broken, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather than continuing self-hatred, let self-love be the foundation of your recovery; allow it to heal your pain and trauma. Because when you practice self-love, it acts as the guiding light to fill any void you may feel. Self-love reminds us that we are resilient in the face of challenges, stronger than we think, and worthy of staying committed to our healing and freedom.
3 Ways to Practice Self-Love in Your Recovery Journey Today
- Remember to Give Yourself Grace
Like love, grace is an intentional action. It’s about being kind to yourself and recognizing that your mistakes do not define you. It’s about accepting your past mistakes and choosing to love yourself anyway. One way to practice self-love and give yourself grace today is by writing a letter of forgiveness toward your past self.
In this letter, be specific about the behaviors or situations you regret, and do so without attached judgment. Remind your past self that you did the best you could with what you had and that now you have the knowledge and tools to help you make better decisions and incorporate healthier habits. Be sure to address your growth along the way and offer encouragement for your future.
- Engage in Positive Self-Talk
Another way to practice self-love is to engage in positive self-talk. A sign of emotional growth is the act of replacing negative thoughts with affirmations of strength, worth, and resilience. Positive self-talk can shift perspectives and reinforce the belief in one’s ability to recover, whereas self-doubt, anxiety, and depression support a harmful narrative about our skills and worth.
The next time you find yourself engaging in negative self-talk, ask yourself these three questions: “Is this thought based on facts or my feelings?” “Is there evidence to support it?” and “How can I look at this situation differently?”.
Odds are, when you pause and reflect on your current situation, it’s rarely as bad as you think it is. Engaging in positive self-talk shifts the focus from what’s harmful to what’s helpful.
- Celebrate Your Progress
Like extending grace to your past self, addressing the growth you’ve is also crucial to embracing self-love. When you focus on the good, you invite more good into your life. It’s important to celebrate your progress and acknowledge every step you’ve taken forward. Celebrating your progress reinforces the value of your efforts and the belief in your journey.
Today, write down three milestones you’ve made toward your recovery journey. Maybe you’re 30 days sober and stopped taking painkillers to numb the pain from unhealed trauma. That’s amazing! You may have turned down a recent invite to ensure there’s no temptation to drink alcohol. Congratulations! Or you may have decided to seek counseling for healing from the loss of a loved one. What a positive transformation! No matter how big or small, a victory is a victory, and it’s one worth celebrating.
Moving Forward: Embracing a Life Beyond Addiction
Choosing self-love over substances is an act of courage and strength. It’s about recognizing that you deserve a life filled with joy, health, and fulfillment. Recovery is not a destination but a journey of continuous growth and self-discovery. By choosing self-love, you open the door to a world of possibilities where your past does not define your potential.
While substance use disorder affects millions globally, according to an article published by Psychology Today, “Substance use disorder is actually a good prognosis disorder, in that the majority of patients fully recover, go on to lead normal lives, and often achieve enhanced levels of functioning.”
Let today’s act of self-love lead to a flourishing life, one that’s full of meaning and purpose in recovery. Together, let’s embrace the journey of recovery, one act of self-love at a time.
At Positive Recovery Centers, we believe in you, and we believe in your recovery. Across the state of Texas, from DFW to Houston and Austin-Hill Country, we offer various treatment services curated specifically with your success in mind. To learn more, we invite you to call us at 877-697-1383 to speak with a recovery specialist today. You can also visit our website to discover more about our comprehensive range of drug and alcohol treatment programs and see which program is right for you.