It is relatively easy to become addicted to something. You might have vices like alcohol or drugs. You may use them infrequently to try and compartmentalise the behaviour, but if you’re facing external pressures, that’s when you might cross the line into full-blown addiction.
Outpatient treatment for alcohol or drugs is always possible, and there are inpatient options as well if you feel that’s a better solution for you. What some people don’t necessarily realise, though, is that drug and alcohol addiction can be directly tied to issues with one’s self-esteem.
We’ll talk about how you can improve your self-esteem if you’re battling addiction in the following article.
Get into therapy
Seeking therapy is one of the best things you can do to improve your self-esteem. That might take the form of one-on-one counselling, or you might thrive in a group environment instead. In either case, starting the process is one of the hardest things you will have to do.
That’s because if you have a low opinion of your worth, you may be conditioned to think that you’re not worthy of help or beyond saving. That’s never true, though. Once you have help from a mental health professional and a support network of other addicts who are also trying to get well, that sense of community should be beneficial as you start on the road to recovery.
Stay away from people who put you down
As you’re rebuilding your mental and psychological strength, it’s helpful to stay away from anyone who wants to tear you down. Often, your feelings of low self-esteem come from repeatedly hearing that you’re worthless. It might be family members who tell you those things, or they may come from other individuals in your life who profess to be your friends.
It’s crucial to remember that anyone who tells you that your life doesn’t have worth is not a friend to you, and they don’t love you, even if they say they do. They’re a part of the problem that’s contributing to your addiction issues.
Cutting these people out of your life is not only healthy, but it’s necessary. If you want to become self-actualized and stop using alcohol or drugs to dull the pain and allow you to cope, you need to get away from anyone who’s hampering your progress on your journey.
Keep reminding yourself of your worth
As you’re recovering, you can also continue reminding yourself of your worth. If you ever get in a situation where you would typically drink or use drugs, you can avoid a setback by repeating to yourself the lessons you have learned.
That might be as simple as having a mantra. Repeating to yourself that your life has meaning and value may be what it takes. You can also reach out to the group or mental health professional who’s helping you if you feel you’re on the verge of a relapse.
Improving your self-esteem is possible, and it often goes hand in hand with addiction recovery.
David Radar, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
