Addiction and Shame

It’s a catch 22 – you already feel so sad and lonely, and you don’t want to screw up by getting drunk again.  But your emotions are too strong for you to manage alone, so you drink your sorrows away.  When it’s over, you still have your loneliness and sadness.  On top of that, you have shame about messing up again.  How do you get out of this trap?

The Trap of Betrayal and Addiction

That’s the betrayal of drugs and alcohol.  Your addiction thoughts tell you that drinking is your answer, it will help you feel better, and you’ll be OK even if part of you tells you it’s a bad idea.  But after your drinking binge is all over, you’re only left with more shame than before and only a temporary band-aid on your feelings.  They are back stronger than ever, and now you feel worse.  How could you have believed those thoughts in your head?  How could you be so stupid? 

Again, that is how addiction traps your mind.  The bad feelings are fuel for the urge to consume (drugs and alcohol) and escape.  Addiction makes a flimsy promise to help you out, but sticks it to you in the end.  And somehow, you “fall for it” over and over. 

Let’s get a few things straight here.  You aren’t dumb, you aren’t stupid, weak, worthless, or an low-life.  You have an addiction – this is what it is.  All this messed-up thinking and taking toxic substances gets in the way of what your good sense is trying to tell you.  And unfortunately, your alcoholism or drug addiction feeds on itself as you continue using.  What a perfect way to keep itself alive at your expense.

Shame is the Name of the Addiction Game

Shame is huge in the world of addiction.  It keeps you from reaching out, from discovering things about yourself, from doing the good healthy thing.  You aren’t worth it.  No one would help you.  No one would believe you.  No one cares anymore.  You are just a junkie or alcoholic with no point in life. 

And then, what about the unbelievable things you did while you were drunk or high?  You are equally ashamed of those behaviors, choices, and comments.  You’d do just about anything to take them back, and you know it’s because of your addiction.  You were too loaded to stop yourself, hardly able to remember but just enough to know you’d rather fall into a hole and disappear forever.

Drug Rehab Gives Hope For Women Ashamed of Their Addiction

Stopping this horrible cycle is not simple.  It is a process that takes time, patience, and commitment.  When the shame is unbearable and your life is out of control, it also takes drug rehab.  There you will learn about the tools you need to get in and stay in recovery.   You’ll discover things about yourself that will give you hope and courage to keep living your life sober.  Drug rehab for women can help you with the shame about your addiction.