Should I be Ashamed of my Recovery?

Addicts have an endless amount of reasons why they don't want to get sober, and one of them is that they don't want to believe that they're different from other people. For those who have been drinking or drugging with friends who can do so responsibly, it feels like social suicide to admit to a problem and ask for help. This fear of being judged is one of the ways people stay in their cycle of addiction for months or years before they seek help. The first thing addicts must realize is that it's an extremely powerful statement to admit that they have a problem.

Surrendering to the Disease of Addiction

Addiction is a mental disorder that doesn't want you to get better. It's been proven that the core issue with addicts lies within the prefrontal cortex of their brain, which makes it extremely difficult to recognize the problem in the first place because the prefrontal cortex is responsible for self-awareness. Admitting you have a problem is the first step in freeing yourself from addiction and empowering yourself for the future.

Help Decrease the Stigma of Addiction

It’s true that many people think addicts are all liars, cheats, and thieves, and many of them are while they’re in their active addiction. You can help change people’s minds about what they think an addict is by embracing your recovery. Living in recovery gives you a power that you’ve been lacking for a long time, and that’s the power of choice. You can choose who you hang out with and what situations you’re involved with. You can show friends, family, co-workers, and others that you’re living proof of the fact that recovering addicts are just like everyone else, and you can enjoy life without taking a drink or drug.

Living in the 12th Step - Share Your Recovery With Others

If you're in recovery, you've probably heard of 12-step programs or attended a meeting. The 12th step in any 12-step program is about sharing the message of recovery to help other addicts recover as well. Whereas you once may have had a life that lacked any meaning or purpose, your experience, strength, hope, and vocalization about your recovery can help others see that they too can recover. Being self-conscious and not speaking up about your recovery may deprive other addicts of the hope they need to take the first step of admitting that they have a problem. You can also give hope to the friends and family of a loved one who's currently in active addiction. Remember, if you do encounter others who need help please use your experience to refer them to a drug and alcohol rehab that can assist them in their recovery. Freedom From Addiction can be instrumental in this process.