• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Understanding Shame and Addiction

March 30, 2018 Posted by grant Addiction, Psychological, Recovery
St Louis drug rehab

Countering shame with compassion can be a powerful weapon.

The life of a recovering addict is filled with a multitude of emotions. While some of them, such as gratitude and excitement for the future, are positive, others are negative and can fester is left unresolved. One of the most detrimental (and common) emotions experienced by many recovering addicts is shame.
Here’s a closer look at the relationship between shame and addiction, along with why addressing shame is a critical part of the recovery process.

The Cycle of Shame and Addiction

Everyone experiences shame at some point in life. Unfortunately, it can be a particularly crippling emotion. Writes Brené Brown in her book, I Thought It Was Just Me:  “When we are in shame, we don’t see the big picture; we don’t accurately think about our strengths and limitations. We just feel alone, exposed and deeply flawed.”

For recovering addicts, the impacts of shame are often amplified. Why? Because addicts are already plagued by feelings of guilt, isolation, unworthiness, embarrassment, and low self-esteem. Continues Brown, “Shame is like a prison. But a prison that you deserved to be in because something is wrong with you.”  In other words, while many emotions can be viewed through the lens of how a person feels, shame is construed as a reflection of how a person is.

Not only can shame be immobilizing for addicts, it can actually lead them to relapse, according to a study published in the Association for Psychological Science’s (APS) journal, Clinical Psychological Science. Explains APS: “People who feel shame may blame themselves for negative events and view their ‘bad’ behavior as an unchangeable part of who they are. Thus, shame may actually be a risk factor for certain behaviors rather than a deterrent.”

In fact, researchers determined that the amount of shame displayed by recovering alcoholics directly correlated with whether they would relapse and to what extent. Furthermore, the study also associated shame with other psychiatric symptoms and worsening health over time.

Becoming “Shame-Resistant”

Given everything that is now known about shame’s status as a barrier to recovery, it is particularly important to acknowledge and treat it. Luckily, there are several ways to help addicts release their shame and embrace healthier emotions.

For starters, placing the focus on courage rather than shame can be a positive step. Fear and shame are directly interlinked; focusing on the courage it takes to seek addiction treatment helps addicts let go of fear and the shame that goes along with it.

Cultivating a sense of connection can also help addicts keep shame at bay. One of the underlying factors associated with shame is an addict’s sense of loneliness, isolation, and disconnectedness. Recovering addicts who discover communities and the sense of connectedness that goes along with them acquire another valuable defense against shame.

St Louis drug rehab

Building connections with others also helps banish shame.

Similarly, addicts who are shown compassion and empathy are also in a better position to overcome feelings of shame, while at the same time becoming more capable of showing compassion and empathy to others.

One other key takeaway from research is that it points to the critical role of treatment—as opposed to shame-based punitive measures—in helping people overcome their addictive behaviors and move forward with their lives.

We’re Here to Help

If you’re looking for a St. Louis drug rehab program designed to address the physical, social, and emotional aspects of addiction recovery, contact us at Harris House today.

Tags: Addictionshame
Share
0

About grant

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
grant has contributed 289 entries to our website, so far.View entries by grant

    You also might be interested in

    Avoid Relapse During Addiction Recovery

    Jun 7, 2016

    There are steps you can take to avoid the physical[...]

    9 Signs Your Loved One May Be An Addict

    Jul 30, 2016

    When you picture a drug addict or alcoholic, what comes[...]

    Expert Interview Series: Dr. John McMahon of Bottled Up on Navigating Your Partner’s Addiction

    Oct 6, 2016

    Dr. John McMahon, co-founder of Bottled Up, is an expert[...]

    Recent Posts

    • A Guide to Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers
    • What to Look for When Searching for the Right Rehab Facilities in St. Louis
    • The Benefits of a Holistic Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction – The Solution You’ve Been Searching For
    • What to Expect from Your 28-Day Residential Treatment Program
    • The Difference Between Intensive Inpatient Therapy (24-Hour Drug Rehab Centers) and Other Facilities

    Insurance Providers

    Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

    Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

    Credentialing Partners

    Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

    DMH Carf BBB United Way

    Contact Us

    Let your recovery begin

    We're here to help.

    Please reach out with any questions

    CONTACT US

    314-631-4299

    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate

    Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

    Harris HouseHarris House
    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
    About Us
    Treatments
    Resources
    Gallery
    Contact Us
    Donate

    For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals. Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated non-profit treatment center.

    CALL US TODAY

    314-631-4299

    2706 S. River Rd
    St. Charles, MO 63303

    8315 South Broadway
    St. Louis, MO 63111

    © 2023 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

    Prev Next