The Buddha famously said, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Nowhere is this more true than in the realm of recovery. It is critical that you practice learning to love yourself in recovery. This is the pivotal shift that must occur if you are going to experience true freedom and long-lasting joy on your recovery journey.
Learning to Love Yourself in Recovery
What does it mean to love yourself in recovery? Well, for many, it means you must first forgive yourself for all of the time spent in active addiction. Many people struggle to find success in recovery because they are unable to process the past and move forward. However, forward momentum is critical in recovery – it is a program of action.
Learning to love yourself in recovery also comes from learning to love others in recovery. This means letting go of resentments and judgment in recovery. This can be difficult, but it is critical. As is often said, “resentment is the number one offender.” It can quickly lead someone down the dangerous road of a relapse. Learning to let go of shame is also vital in recovery.
Addiction and Shame
The shame of addiction looms large for many people in recovery. Yes, it can be difficult to let go of all of the poor decisions that we made and the bad behaviors that we exhibited while in active addiction. We may feel that we don’t deserve a fresh start. Many people also get mired in the past because they are worried about what the future may bring.
Yes, recovery and change can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to connect with the right recovery and medical professionals as soon as signs and symptoms appear. However, you must first be able to recognize what those signs and symptoms look like.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, because there are many different types of addiction, there are also many different signs and symptoms. Thus, making a conclusive symptom list becomes difficult. However, there are some more universal signs and symptoms that one can look out for. The following are just a few:
- Negative changes in appetite
- Struggles with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much (hypersomnia) and not sleeping enough (insomnia)
- Physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Not being able to stop using substances or drinking once started
- Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
- Losing interest in hobbies and activities once enjoyed
- Feeling overly anxious and/or depressed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing mood swings
- Aggressive feelings toward oneself and/or others
- Having suicidal ideations
These are the types of symptoms that must be addressed as soon as possible, if one is to heal in the long term. Seeking professional help as soon as these symptoms arise can make a big difference. It can mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Recovery Options That Focus On Self-Love
The good news is that there are many recovery options that can help one reestablish self-love. This includes art therapy, which can help you connect with those components of self-love that seem lost. Art therapy also has many other benefits, especially for individuals who struggle with co-occurring issues of mental health.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviours, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. Art therapy can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.” Holistic healing methods can also be helpful.
Yoga and meditation can offer some great opportunities for self-love. This is because they open up the mind to opportunities for deep self-reflection and moments of surrender and serenity. There are also many other benefits, like improved breathing and physical strength, a better sense of balance, lowered heart rate and blood pressure, and a greater opportunity for spiritual healing. These are also great opportunities to meet other like-minded people who are also on positive recovery journeys.
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. There is also a focus on forgiveness and self-love – keys to long-term success.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. The time to love yourself again is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people in mental health and addiction recovery are familiar with the phrase, “We will love you until you learn to love yourself.” This is because self-love is critical for long-term success in recovery. The good news is that there are many means and methods to introduce self-love into recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about self-love, self-care, and self-worth in recovery, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
