A Universal Rule
We have all heard the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Straightforward, simple, and it works for millions of people.
But in recovery and life in general, this rule could be seen in reverse. Treat ourselves the same way we would treat others. It is the idea of self-love in recovery.
We often offer grace, forgiveness, time, care, and hope to those we care about. We make sure our kids are eating right. Our dog gets his checkups at the vet. We make sure we tell our friends when they are being too hard on themselves or when they need to get some help.
This kind of love, however, is often withheld. We don’t give it to ourselves.
What Is Self-Love in Recovery?
Self-love means prioritizing your well-being and happiness—caring for and respecting yourself. Self-love is an integral part of addiction recovery because, without practicing self-love, it can be tough to overcome low self-esteem, doubts, and some of the challenges associated with managing substance use disorders.
It could mean finding time for a hobby you love, getting out in nature, taking yourself to the dentist, cooking a nice dinner—whatever it is, it’s about making yourself a priority.
Barriers to Self-Love in Recovery
- Negative self-talk.When a person thinks negatively of themselves, this affects their mood. They’re no longer empowered to act in their best interests. We tend to repeat these damaging words over and over. And it becomes ingrained in our hearts.
- Shame and guilt.Addiction can cause people to engage in shameful and hurtful behaviors. The guilt can make it hard to forgive oneself and move forward on the road to addiction recovery.
- Fear of vulnerability.Recovery requires vulnerability, but some people may be afraid to deal with the underlying factors and feelings behind their addiction.
Strategies for Practicing Self-Love in Addiction Recovery
- Positive affirmations.Practicing positive affirmations, “I believe in myself” and “I’m getting better every day,” is one of the best ways to combat negative self-talk.
- Gratitude journaling.Have a journal where you regularly list and review the things you’re grateful for about your life, whether it’s your supportive family or the things and places that make you happy. Focusing on the things you love helps intensify the feelings of self-love.
- Self-care. Self-care includes treating yourself regularly or doing things and wearing clothes you love. Taking care of yourself communicates the message that you matter.
- Mindfulness practices.Mindfulness can help people with addiction because it helps raise awareness about addiction triggers. Instead of responding automatically to these triggers, you can navigate past them more successfully, with intention.
Benefits of Self-Love in Recovery
- Increased resilience. The path to addiction recovery isn’t always smooth. But when you regularly adopt effective strategies for promoting self-love, it’s easier to stay on track and minimize the chances of a relapse.
- Improved self-esteem.You start valuing yourself more when you treat yourself, practice positive self-talk, and work on forgiving yourself. As your recovery journey progresses, you become more confident in your abilities and are encouraged to keep going.
- Greater sense of self-worth. Having more self-love helps you realize that you’re worthy of compassion and forgiveness and deserve to be a functional, healthy member of society. For those dealing with addiction, it’s all too easy to engage in self-deprecating thoughts and practices.
The Ultimate Act of Self Love
You can still practice self-love if you struggle with a substance use disorder. One of the first things you can do is reach out for help. Treat yourself with as much respect and forgiveness as you would someone you love. Getting help with a substance use disorder takes immense courage and strength. It also puts faith in the potential for happiness in your future and gives you the best chance at finding it.
At Heartwood Recovery in Austin, Texas, we help people take that step of self-love. Our men’s rehab program includes a rehab fitness program, 12-Step immersion, psychotherapy, group work for addiction treatment, and more, all designed to support and empower you on your journey to recovery.
Our team of experienced professionals will help you cultivate self-love, find the tools you need overcoming addiction, and achieve lasting recovery. Contact us today to learn more about our drug and alcohol rehab in Austin, Texas, and start prioritizing your self-love in addiction recovery.
