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Dr. Ross > Health > Mindset > How to Fight Back Against Embarrassment During Recovery

How to Fight Back Against Embarrassment During Recovery

depressed woman hiding faced embarrassed recovering alcoholic
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In all honesty, recovery is hard enough without the added weight of embarrassment tagging along. Overall, just trying to mentally prepare for it can be challenging!  It could be the idea of worrying about how others might see you or replaying past mistakes in your mind; those feelings can creep in and make the journey even tougher. But here’s the thing: embarrassment doesn’t have to take over. 

It’s just a feeling, not a fact, and there are ways to fight back and keep moving forward. Where do you even start, though? What can you even do to overcome all this fear and embarrassment? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know.

Own Your Journey

The truth is, nobody’s life is picture-perfect. Everyone has their battles, and recovery is yours. Instead of letting embarrassment control the story, take charge of it. So, just go ahead and acknowledge where you are and what you’re doing to get better; that’s something to be proud of. No, really, this is something you should be really proud of!

When you’re getting help, whether through rehab, therapy, or even some other sort of path out there (as it depends on the addiction), you’re showing strength, not weakness. Overall, you’re pretty much owning your journey, which gives you the power to rewrite the narrative, leaving embarrassment in the dust.

Progress Over Opinions

Now, here’s something else. It’s easy to get caught up in what other people might think. But for the most part, you can expect that the average person is just too busy worrying about their own lives to judge yours. And those who do? They’re not worth your energy. Seriously, who cares about those people? They’re miserable and will do anything to bring others down, so their opinions just don’t matter.

Instead, just go ahead and focus on your progress instead. For example, did you make it through a tough day without slipping? Well, that’s a win. Did you open up to someone about how you’re feeling? Well, that’s another win. Overall, recovery isn’t about what others think; it’s about the steps you’re taking to heal.

Just Stick With Supportive People

The people around you can make or break how you feel during recovery. Seriosuly, it does make a difference! So, being around judgmental or unsupportive individuals can amplify embarrassment, while supportive people help you feel seen and understood. 

Now, it just can’t be stressed enough that you need to surround yourself with people who lift you up, like your friends, family, or even others on the same journey. At the end of the day, they’ll remind you that recovery isn’t something to be ashamed of; it’s a brave step toward a better future.

Redefine Success

Sometimes, embarrassment comes from setting impossibly high expectations. It’s unfortunate, but this is true. So, recovery isn’t about being perfect; it’s about progress. Overall, just redefining success as growth, resilience, and effort can take some of the pressure off.

You’re More Than Your Past

As unfortunate as it is, embarrassment has a sneaky way of making past mistakes feel like permanent labels. Basically, it can be anything, but the past is just that, the past. It’s not who you are today, and it definitely doesn’t define who you’re becoming. 

Overall, recovery is proof that you’re strong enough to make a change. Those who care about you will see that. And if someone can’t get past your past? Well, that’s their problem, not yours.

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By: Michele Ross, PhD · In: Mindset · Tagged: addiction

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About Michele Ross, PhD

Dr. Michele Ross is a neuropharmacologist helping chronic pain patients with alternative medicine. She is the author of Kratom is Medicine, Vitamin Weed, CBD Oil For Health & Train Your Brain To Get Thin & the CEO of Infused Partners.

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