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Self-Esteem in Addiction Recovery
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Contents
Improving Self-Esteem & Communication While Treating Drug & Alcohol Addictions
Many people who are in recovery from addiction have low self-esteem. It is also common for these individuals to have underdeveloped, unhealthy or immature communication skills. There are many reasons for the appearance of these challenges in this population, and often in tandem. The way people communicate is closely tied to their feelings about themselves and sense of self-worth. As self-esteem issues are common among individuals with histories of addiction, poor communication skills often appear as well. When someone has very low self-esteem, he or she is more likely to struggle with effective communication. For example, someone who feels unworthy of compassion and love wouldn’t speak up if others were overlooking his or her needs or wishes. People with low self-esteem may use passive communication styles, hiding their feelings from others and accepting others’ opinions, wants and needs instead of pursuing their own. Some individual’s who have low self-esteem may feel insecure and overcompensate as a defense mechanism.These people might use an aggressive communication style, pushing others to accept their own ideas and rejecting the feelings and ideas of others. They might also use a passive-aggressive style of communication to boost their ego—avoiding conflict while accentuating the failures of others.
Struggling with the Mental Dependency of Addiction: Low Esteem Perpetuates Substance Abuse
Addiction is further perpetuated by low self-esteem, via the shame cycle. This is when people feel bad about themselves and then use substances to temporarily feel better. Unfortunately, using substances makes them feel even worse in the end, reflecting on their lack of will to abstain and so on. Many people in active addiction feel like they are hopeless, too deep in their substance abuse to get clean and sober. They may even tell themselves that they don’t deserve a better life, because of the guilt they feel for their actions. These thoughts are like poison, polluting the mind and spirit with negativity and self-loathing. When people feel like there is no point to living a better life or trying to, this becomes an excuse or a reason to keep using. A dangerous logic arises: since there is no point to living and I’m worthless and I hate my life, I might as well just keep getting high until I die. Many people who fall into this terrible cycle develop depression and suicidal ideology. It is crucial to remember that this is an aspect of the disease. Addiction is a serious physical and psychological condition that people need professional help to overcome.Get help for addiction now
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Addressing Low Self-Esteem in Substance Abuse Treatment
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How Do Unhealthy Relationships Influence Drug & Alcohol Addictions?
Self-esteem issues and poor communication often play into unhealthy relationship dynamics as well. When someone’s core relationships don’t exercise healthy communication and boundaries, the ego and integrity of the individual may be further deflated. A person with low self-esteem may be made to feel even worse about his or her self from interactions with someone who is overbearing and pushy. His or her perceived lack of control and agency in life may be propelled by a dynamic like this. Many people who go through addiction treatment have unhealthy relationship dynamics in their lives. These are often family relationships and romantic relationships—many cases of codependency and enabling. The truth is that many people in general have unhealthy relationships in their lives, not just people who have addictions. When your life revolves around alcohol or drug use, though, many of your relationships may also revolve around substances. Many friends may also be abusing substances, limiting the trust that could be placed in them. Family members and other loved ones are easily taken advantage of for the sake of substance abuse. When you are desperate to continue using alcohol or drugs, relationships take a back seat and are often abused or neglected.How Do Unhealthy Relationships Influence Drug & Alcohol Addictions?
Self-esteem issues and poor communication often play into unhealthy relationship dynamics as well. When someone’s core relationships don’t exercise healthy communication and boundaries, the ego and integrity of the individual may be further deflated. A person with low self-esteem may be made to feel even worse about his or her self from interactions with someone who is overbearing and pushy. His or her perceived lack of control and agency in life may be propelled by a dynamic like this. Many people who go through addiction treatment have unhealthy relationship dynamics in their lives. These are often family relationships and romantic relationships—many cases of codependency and enabling. The truth is that many people in general have unhealthy relationships in their lives, not just people who have addictions. When your life revolves around alcohol or drug use, though, many of your relationships may also revolve around substances. Many friends may also be abusing substances, limiting the trust that could be placed in them. Family members and other loved ones are easily taken advantage of for the sake of substance abuse. When you are desperate to continue using alcohol or drugs, relationships take a back seat and are often abused or neglected.
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Reliable Sources Matter to ABTRS
Getting unbiased information that you can trust in is important to ABTRS. It is vital to know where your information is coming from and whether you can trust in the source to make the life changing decisions you need to make. Knowledge has always been considered empowering. Especially when it comes to taking control of your disease of addiction and seeking the treatment you need to live a life that is fulfilling and rewarding. When it comes to substance abuse treatment, you need reliable resources that are unbiased and proven or tested to be effective by the scientific or psychology community. We take pride in providing knowledge from reputable sources that are up to date and relevant. Check out the list below to learn more about where ABTRS got their information for this webpage.
Ibr.tcu.edu. (2019). IDEAS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION. [online] Available at: https://ibr.tcu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/TMA05Aug-Comm.pdf [Accessed 21 Feb. 2019].
