Self Esteem And Addiction Recovery

What Is Self Esteem And Addiction Recovery?

Self-esteem has a primary role in the individual’s inclination to addiction, theft, and prostitution. [1]  Thus, improving self esteem and addiction recovery could lead an individual into a better and productive life.

The presence of an affiliation between low self esteem and addiction has been a barrier to lifelong recovery.  In addition, such coexistence has been linked with poor treatment outcomes, problems with the legal system, and a high rate of relapse among adults with substance use disorders.

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High Self Esteem vs. Low Self Esteem

Self-esteem is the representation of the understanding of oneself and a sense of personal value.  Our perceptions toward ourselves (the ego) are developed through our acts, then thinking about our actions;  how others perceive those actions.  Thus, self-esteem refers to our feelings about ourselves or the value we have for ourselves.  Therefore, it can be said that self-esteem is a general awareness of ourselves.

The features of high self-esteem are those in which someone believes they are essential and the world would even be better because they live in it, believe in themselves with confidence, ask for help, and trust their decisions.  However, the features of low self-esteem are those in which the individual does not think they are essential, expects others to shame them, does not trust others, and believes nobody likes them.  Such an individual also feels loneliness and detachment from others and is not interested in themselves and others.

Self-esteem is a specific topic in psychology which is referred to every other psychological idea or domain, [2]  including:

• Personality:  For instance, Shyness or Self-Consciousness
• Behavioral:  (Functioning), Cognitive (Orientation)
• Clinical Domains:  For example, Stress and Depression

Obvious factors such as social prestige (parents), wealth, education level, and job title do not have an exact effect (as often imagined) on self-esteem.  Instead, parents’ attitudes and behaviors, acceptance of children, definite demands, and respecting their actions in a specific area are determinant affairs that cause the feeling of being relevant in children and adults.

Correlation Of Self Esteem And Addiction

Addiction often negatively impacts family and work relationships and perhaps leads to the constant loss of jobs in an individual.  In addition, those whose self-esteem did not grow well are more inclined to consume drugs.

Studies stated an association between crime and low self-esteem and concluded that low self-esteem causes abnormal behaviors.  So reasonably, one of the leading causes of wrongdoing is that offenders have low self-esteem.

Self Esteem And Addiction Recovery And What To Do

Those with a history of drug addiction, theft, and prostitution had lower self-esteem than common people, and it is advised that people of the society in different ways try to strengthen and improve their self-esteem and self-belief by understanding their abilities, faith in God, and by strongly opposing every feeling of inferiority and self-humiliation.  In addition, one should never try to shame and mock other people to ruin their personality.  Officials and authorities must also work to enhance and improve the self-esteem of unhealthy people with the above-stated problems.

Signs Of Low Self Esteem

What does low self-esteem look like?  Some indications of low self-esteem in adults might include:

• Feeling self-conscious and continually comparing yourself to others
• Hyper-obsessive about relationships with others
• When confronted with setbacks, feelings of self-defeat are natural
• Chronically indecisive, even with small things like selecting where to eat
• Apologizing for everything, even when an apology isn’t required or warranted
• Shopping based on what other people will think rather than what you want
• Unable to accept recognition, instead attributing things to luck, genetics, or factors out of your control
• Checking your phone regularly in social circumstances, even if you have no messages
• Telling lots of little white lies to make yourself look more impressive or important than you feel
• Physical manifestations, from fatigue and headaches to insomnia, depression, and anxiety

To develop a healthy self-image, many recovery programs may focus on promotions through:

• Becoming informed of negative self-talk
• Confronting harmful or inaccurate thoughts
• Distinguishing troubling situations or conditions
• Encouraging exercise, which can boost mood
• Focus on what you can change in your life
• Rejoicing small accomplishments
• Surrounding yourself with a positive support network

Rebuilding self-esteem is not an overnight process — it can take months of commitment and mindfulness. Therapy — the ability to talk through past events and relationships — is also a vital solution. Fortunately, the steps to recovery will get easier with repetition.  As one’s self-image improves, their confidence and well-being will also strengthen.

About We Level Up New Jersey Addiction Treatment Center

To help you find and maintain sobriety from substance use, we favor a personalized approach to care.  From the moment you begin with us, our counselors will help you find a path that fits with your background, your substance(s) of choice, your lifestyle, your interests, and your unique needs based on your personality.

Levels Of Care Summary At We Level Up NJ

Effective treatment often targets all aspects of the self, including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. 

Programs also strive to support and promote the four dimensions of recovery as noted by SAMHSA: health, home, purpose, and community.  [3]

Addiction treatment isn’t as easy as taking a pill and waiting for the effects to kick in.  In addition, overcoming addiction requires time, energy, and commitment that has to come from within.

Most treatment programs favor a step-down process, starting with a strict and restrictive environment and gradually phasing down to help those in recovery adapt back into daily life.

Detox

Detox is the first stage of treatment, lasting around three to seven days based on substance.  In detox, users go through drug withdrawal to move past the physical components of addiction.  For those with long-term or severe substance abuse, medications and other therapies may be available to minimize side effects.

Inpatient

For three to four weeks following detox, patients reside in an inpatient care facility with limited access to the outside world.  During this time, patients work with counselors and other addiction professionals in individual and group settings to facilitate healing, effective coping mechanisms, and a healthy attitude toward sobriety.

Partial Hospitalization

Also known as PHP, partial hospitalization programs are outpatient programs that balance inpatient and outpatient care.  In this time, recovering users live in a sober living house while attending addiction programming during the day, five days a week.

Intensive Outpatient

After several weeks or months of PHP, users graduate to intensive outpatient programs or IOP.  These programs give patients a chance to return to work or school while remaining committed to the recovery community. 

Participants often live in a sober house during IOP.

Outpatient

After IOP is complete, many recovering users return to their homes and families and attempt to re-enter everyday life.  However, remaining active in the recovery community is essential, and many individuals continue attending outpatient addiction treatment programs to maintain sobriety best.

We Level Up offers indeed best in class integrated treatment programs. [4] We know many clients have underlying emotional pain and triggers that require dual-diagnosis treatment programs. But, did you know few centers offer the comprehensive services you need, from supervised medical detox to residential inpatient rehab to integrated mental health services? And after that, continue to support your recovery for a lifetime with after-care planning, alumni activities, and family support before and after your stay.

If you consider self esteem and addiction treatment for you or someone you love, We Level Up New Jersey can help.  Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a confidential consultation with a member of our intake team.

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Voluntarily testimonials from the We Level Up Treatment Center network vary. Not intended as a guaranteed treatment or outcome as each person's journey is unique.

[1-2] The Role of Self-esteem in Tendency towards Drugs, Theft, and Prostitution – National Center for Biotechnology Information

[3] Find Help and Recovery – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration

[4] Addiction Recovery Treatment – We Level Up