People may experience feelings of guilt and shame at various times throughout their lives. These common emotions may develop when people do or say things that they regret. People may feel ashamed or guilty about behaviors that do not align with who they believe they are or want to be.

Substance abuse may lead to people doing or saying things they wouldn’t do or say when sober. Getting sober can sometimes come with intense feelings of remorse and regret. People living with addiction or in recovery may feel badly about their behaviors while using drugs or alcohol. They may get “stuck” in the belief that they are a bad person or have negative thoughts about themselves.

People in recovery must learn how to manage feelings of guilt and shame effectively. Getting stuck in those feelings can prevent people from moving forward in recovery.

This article will explore ways to manage guilt and shame in recovery.

If you or someone you love struggle with feelings of shame or guilt in recovery, you are not alone. Contact the caring specialists at the Carolina Center for Recovery to learn about our comprehensive treatment and support programs.

Understanding Guilt and Shame

Guilt and shame are normal human emotions. Many mental health experts believe that these feelings help people avoid actions that harm themselves or others. They think that the ability to feel remorse about behaviors can help people create safe, healthy communities.

Guild describes feelings of responsibility or remorse for an offensive behavior. People may feel guilt about a real or imagined offense, such as:

• Taking something that does not belong to them
• Saying something offensive
• Doing something to harm someone else
• Acting in a way that violates their values

Feelings of guilt can help people understand their deeply held beliefs, values, and standards. Feeling guilty or ashamed can help people consider their actions and behave in ways that align with their values.

However, consistent feelings of guilt and shame can damage a person’s self-confidence or self-worth. People must learn how to manage these feelings so that they can move forward effectively.

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How Do Feelings of Shame and Guilt Affect Addiction Recovery?

Guilt and shame can make people feel mentally and physically uncomfortable. People who feel guilt, remorse, or shame may doubt their ability to make decisions. They may develop the belief that they are “bad” or unworthy of love. Deep, persistent feelings of guilt and shame can cause people to lose hope or become depressed.

People in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) often struggle with remorse about the things they did or said while living with active addiction. Guilt and shame can make people feel they are not capable of being the person they want to be. Without learning to cope with these feelings, people may be more likely to relapse or give up on recovery.

Comprehensive treatment and support are essential to helping people overcome shame and guilt after addiction. Structured, effective treatment can help people learn new skills, process negative emotions, and explore the roots of their addiction. It can help people feel connected to others and understand addiction as a disease–not a character flaw.

Addiction treatment programs typically include evidence-based and holistic therapies. People follow tailored treatment plans that may include:

• Medically-supported detox support
• Individual therapy
• Group counseling
• Family therapy
• Behavioral therapies
• Mental health treatment
• Relapse prevention education
• Coping and life skills
• Nutrition support, mindfulness, exercise, and other holistic therapies

These therapies can help people identify and address the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of their substance abuse. Understanding addiction can help people make meaningful changes that support lifelong addiction recovery.

How to Deal With Guilt and Shame After Addiction

Getting treatment is the most essential aspect of moving forward from feelings of guilt and shame in recovery. Here are some other ways people can deal with feelings of guilt and shame after addiction.

Face it

Ignoring feelings of guilt and shame doesn’t work. Trying to move forward without facing these intense emotions isn’t effective in the long term. Instead, you must accept and explore these feelings.

Attending support groups or participating in counseling is a great first step. Sharing your experiences and hearing others’ stories can help to lighten the burden of guilt and shame–and make you feel less alone with these feelings.

Forgive yourself

No one chooses to develop an addiction. Addiction is a challenging, complex condition with deep roots in your genetics, environment, behaviors, and more. Commit to learning from your past–but not staying stuck there. Forgive yourself for what happened and focus on creating a healthier future.

Make changes

Attend therapy, get treatment, and find support to help you develop better coping mechanisms. You can’t change what happened in the past, but you can create a routine that will lead to a healthier, more balanced future. Developing new habits requires time, patience, and dedication. Surround yourself with people who will support your progress.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with shame or guilt in recovery, you are not alone. Contact the Carolina Center for Recovery specialists to learn about our compassionate, comprehensive treatment and support programs.