Many people enter the doors of a treatment program utterly beat up emotionally and discouraged. The hope is that your view of self radically changes as you complete treatment and enter long term recovery. In order to stay sober you need to change the way you see yourself.

Having come from an active addiction does not make you a bad person. Sure, the things that you put in your body were unhealthy. This does not make you inherently bad, however. Many talented, kind, creative people have entered addiction treatment programs.

You won’t be able to stay sober if you beat yourself up. You are human. It’s okay and normal to struggle with various difficulties. There is no person walking this earth that has not gone through challenges, habits, and a need to change.

Changing the way you see yourself takes practice. There are some steps you can take to being seeing yourself in a healthy manner. Self affirmations, Self care, Surround yourself with encouragement.

In order to move forward in sobriety, you must forgive yourself for past mistakes. Forgiving yourself is not easy. Addiction carries guilt, shame, and stigma. Learning to love and forgive yourself takes work. Self forgiveness is necessary and the only way to move forward. A good point to remember is that everyone makes mistakes. Even people that appear to have it all together have battles that you know nothing about. Be kind to yourself, you are human.

A good habit to start in recovery is speaking kindly to yourself. You can start by saying affirmations in the morning before your day starts. You may think it feels awkward to look in the mirror and say positive self affirmations. Here are a few examples:

• I’ve got this
• I am worthwhile
• I am only human, so my mistakes are understandable
• I am not my addiction, I am so much more
• Today is going to be a positive day
• I can handle what life throws my way
• One day at a time

Start saying affirmations in the morning before you start your day. Speaking kind to yourself is a good tool to have in your toolbox. Recovery and changing your view of self begins today.

At The Kimberly Center, we care about your recovery. Recovery is more then not using. Recovery is also about learning how to live a new life. The Kimberly Center are experts in treatment and recovery. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER to learn more about how treatment can help you today.