Carl Jung famously said, “Shame is a soul-eating emotion.” This can be especially true for individuals who struggle with addiction and body shame. Many people use alcohol and substances as coping mechanisms for issues like body shame. However, the problem is that this is only a short-term “solution” and may eventually lead to addiction. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help you overcome both addiction and body shame.
Addiction and Body Shame
Using alcohol and substances is a way of “numbing” the pain that is often associated with issues of shame and guilt. It is a way of avoiding those uncomfortable feelings. The issue is that this is only temporary, and it is damaging physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
Some people find they struggle with body shame after they have already begun to struggle with addiction. This is because addiction can lead to physical and emotional issues that were not there before, and it will require professional help to begin to address them. This is because addiction is a disease that needs to be addressed and treated with the same type of attention that other chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes do.
Better Understanding Addiction
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a medical disorder that affects the brain and changes behavior. We have identified many of the biological and environmental risk factors and are beginning to search for the genetic variations that contribute to the development and progression of the disorder…. Despite these advances, we still do not fully understand why some people develop an addiction to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug use.” Yes, addiction is becoming better understood, but there are still many unknowns.
Addiction is also a “family disease.” This is because it affects not just the individual struggling, but everyone around them as well. This is why many people refer to addiction as “a tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path.” However, while the family (and close friends and coworkers) may be the most intimately affected, they also have an opportunity to get their loved one the help that they need. Of course, they must know the signs and the symptoms to look out for.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Not everyone struggling with addiction is going to have the same signs and symptoms, but there can be some similarities in what to look out for. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Isolating away from loved ones
- Feeling overly anxious and depressed
- Feeling nervous when not drinking or using
- Overspending on alcohol and/or substances
- Struggles with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (insomnia)
- Negative changes in appetite (excessive weight gain and weight loss)
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Struggles at work or school
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, and worthless
- Otherwise unexplained physical ailments, such as gastrointestinal problems and headaches
- Mood swings
- Expressing feelings of self-harm or wanting to harm others
- Having suicidal ideations
As you can see, these symptoms can be serious. This is because the disease of addiction is serious. This is why seeking professional help sooner rather than later is so important. It can mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This includes struggling with body shame.
Means, Methods, and Modalities to Address Body Shame
There are many effective modalities for treating issues of addiction and body shame. This includes therapies from all avenues of recovery, such as psychotherapy, experiential therapy, and holistic healing methods.
Holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation can be particularly helpful for issues of body shame because they can also lead to physical improvements in health and wellness. For example, yoga can also improve strength and help with breathing and flexibility.
Yoga therapy also offers many other benefits that can help people struggling with addiction. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent, reduce, or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional, and spiritual pain, suffering, or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes plans that address issues of body shame.
If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people struggle with “body shame.” Body shame can also lead to addiction because people often use alcohol and substances as coping mechanisms. It can also be a slippery slope toward a potential relapse. It is important to discuss body shame with your doctor. They can help you better understand how to manage body shame and any associated addiction. If you are struggling with addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right track right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information about body shame and how it can lead to negative behaviors, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870
