Self-sabotage in addiction treatment

Self-sabotage in addiction treatment is like a grenade that suddenly and unexpectedly explodes — pushing us away from our deepest wants and desires. However, there are no excuses, because we are the ones who consciously control the movement of the pin. It’s, therefore, up to us to make the decision that we will no longer fall prey to our self-sabotaging patterns of behavior ever again. The choice is yours. It’s in your hands. You
now know what to do and how to do it. But the real question is when will you get started?

When will you finally commit to putting an end to the Self-sabotage in addiction treatment, the behavior that is preventing you from living the life you truly desire to live. We have to start somewhere. Let’s look at a couple of weapons to defeat the enemy here.

Change Your Self-talk It is important to learn at your drug rehab center to never to beat yourself up anymore, even if you have done something inappropriate, made a mistake or look like a fool. We make amends and then we let that shot go! Instead of staying stuck, replace merciless censorship with a nurturing voice: I can do this; It’s okay to slip up sometimes; I did my best, I’m learning, I’m okay:

Follow the Three steps below to change your negative self-talk and stop Self-sabotage in addiction treatment:

1. Notice when you are being self-critical. Get a clear sense of how you talk to yourself – abusive or nurturing? Split them in two. Ego and Higher self must never again be lost in mindlessness.
   2. Your drug rehab center program will challenge the self-critical self. Question the harshness of your thoughts and your extreme censoring, demeaning and exaggerating. Are you actually correct in what you are thinking? Are you really that bad? Where did you learn to think about yourself in that way? Who made you believe it?
   3. Reframe the comments made by your inner critic. Replace them with new realistic and more positive ways of thinking about yourself as you move away from Self-sabotage in addiction treatment. If you find this difficult, imagine what a compassionate friend would say to you in this situation. You may also need to do deeper work on your beliefs. In fight-or-flight mode, the brain automatically constricts peripheral vision designed for escape. Unfortunately, when your mind is telling you to run and look for signs of danger, you have to work harder to see opportunities.

How you may suffer self-sabotage in addiction treatment

• Negativity. Addicts pile self-abuse and judgement onto themselves daily, and this negative mind-set is a sure way to sabotage your recovery.
• Unhealthy friendships. It can be extremely hard to cut ties with the friends that you had while you were an addict.
• Boredom is one of the most common reasons for addicts to sabotage their addiction recovery
• Stress. While everyone in the world is subject to stress in one way or another, addicts deal with it poorly. Self-sabotage in addiction treatment often bursts into being when people become too stressed to focus and see things with necessary clarity.
• Isolation feeds loneliness and depression, which in turn is most likely to lead to relapse. It is important that you reach out to friends and family or support groups to help you through your addiction recovery. Being alone just increases the likelihood of going back to negative thinking and behaviours.
• Ego. Thoughts such as “I am better than everyone here” or “I will beat them at recovery” are typical of the ego that is a part of most addictive personalities. Thinking like this means that you are not going about your addiction recovery in the right way. You are meant to be doing it for yourself, and not to be better than other people in the addiction treatment programme with you. Instead of seeing recovery as a competition, remind yourself daily how your life will be better because of it.
• Refusing help. Addicts often withdraw into themselves and push away all friends and family
• Dishonesty. Lying to yourself, your friends, and family can only lead to destructive thought patterns and behaviours
•  with them when they all come to the surface, and it is easy to slip back into using at this point.
• Destructive patterns. It is important to break the destructive patterns and behaviours that were part of your addiction. They can trigger a relapse if they are not identified and let go.

For more help with learning about Self-sabotage in addiction treatment or contact us on 0824424779 or info@pathwaysplettrehab.co.za