Where Should You Start in the Self Discovery Process at Addictions Rehab?

Your time in addiction rehab will be filled with introspection. You’ll learn more about yourself during treatment than you ever imagined possible. More importantly, you’ll discover how to forgive yourself for past mistakes, how to like yourself, and how to feel both valued and valuable. This journey is definitely a challenging one, but it’s also guaranteed to be incredibly worthwhile. As you find out more about who you truly are and what your needs are, you’ll discover that it’s much easier to resist moments of temptation and craving and that you’re able to use thoughtful, proven strategies to keep your recovery on track.

As you contemplate what you hope to accomplish in addiction treatment, you may be wondering where self-discovery starts. There are a number of negative emotions that can make the in-treatment healing process unnecessarily challenging. Among these are guilt, shame, grief, and fear. People who struggle with substance use disorder often feel intense guilt and shame for the harm that they’ve caused others, their inability to successfully stop using in the past, and for having let other people down. Undergoing treatment in the closed and secure environment that inpatient programs provide can prove very helpful in this respect.

Not only do these programs remove patients from stressful relationships and environments, but they also offer the perfect place for introspection. Being proactive about learning who you are can be infinitely easier in these safe and non-judgmental spaces. More often than not, the first step in self-discovery must be forgiveness. Through self-forgiveness, patients give themselves permission to grow, heal, and thrive. They can also start learning to value and prioritize their own emotions and needs.

What You’ll Learn As You Take Part In Therapy During Addictions Rehab

One idea that is often strongly stressed in both individual and group therapy is that although you have the power to assume responsibility for your actions going forward, you aren’t responsible for your addictive behaviors. Addiction always has underlying causes. Your job is to find out what these underlying causes are and then deal with them. Your success in these efforts will largely determine your success in recovery. Common underlying causes of addiction include:

  • Co-occurring mental health disorders that have not been treated
  • Low-esteem
  • Past trauma
  • Negative early-life behavioral conditioning

Understanding how past events, personal beliefs, and other factors can contribute to addiction often makes it easier for people to forgive themselves. More importantly, this understanding allows patients to effectively deal with the causes of their addiction so that these same issues do not lead to relapse. It is far easier to assume responsibility for the things you can control than it is to assume responsibility for the things you cannot. People in addiction treatment often realize that they are far stronger and far more resilient than they believed. Individual and group counseling provide opportunities for patients to recognize and celebrate their strengths.

Rebuilding your confidence through positive affirmations will help you stay motivated throughout your treatment and beyond. If you have struggled in drug treatment before or have had a hard time quitting on your own, you’re probably well-familiar with the negative thinking patterns that quickly undermine your self-confidence and your willingness to go on. Learning how to maintain a positive, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset is essential for maintaining your sobriety long-term. Another part of your self-discovery is identifying the unhealthy coping habits that have contributed to your substance abuse in the past, and then replacing these with healthier and life-affirming coping skills.

During the mid-portion of your treatment, you’ll likely find that you’re actually far different from who you were when you were using drugs or alcohol. Once substances have been removed from a person’s life, people discover that they have a number of interests, talents, and skills that were being overlooked. This level of self-discovery is important as it allows patients to begin the process of building the lives that they’ve always wanted. Once you reach this stage, you can start working with onsite case managers and counselors to find job and career opportunities that are in-line with your newfound interests and skills.

These meetings help clients establish long-term stability so that they aren’t facing the stresses of financial or housing insecurity once their treatments are complete. If you’re ready to discover the dynamic and undeniably valuable person who lies beneath the oppressive veil of drug or alcohol addiction, we can help. Get in touch with us today at 833-610-1174.