I’m on day 8 sober, (I’ve done this many times once made it to 5 months) but this time I’m experiencing so much shame and cringing all throughout the day about things I’ve done or said while drunk. I’m sad that half my life I won’t be able to get back. It’s harder than I realized to move past this shame and forgive myself.
Still worth it in my view! Dont blame yourself for things you said while intoxicated. Take responsibility but forgive yourself. Good luck!!! Sending positive energy your way
Shame is a huge way to lead yourself back to addiction - to anything.
Do yourself a tidbit, and look at the articles found on the Internet, especially on recovery pages with the fact it cannot help. A great thing to also search, here in the group, or on the Internet, are tools that can help you through it. Trust me - most of us have or did have that feeling.
Welcome back. I am glad you’re here!
Been there it fades. After a couple of weeks/months your no longer known as or seen as that drunk person. It drifts from you. Yeah it’s always “on your record” but it gets left behind as you grow.
Try not be too hard on yourself and work on the negative internal dialogue. Recognize how you feel now and keep it in your back pocket. I have a little thing I say when it comes time to remind myself. Camera, tripod, bicycle. It reminds me of the way I felt one time as I was watching a documentary while in the absolute horrors called Camera tripod bicycle.
The good thing is, as you progress into becoming a more mature and responsible person who can show up for herself and others instead of always being that person, you gain self respect and a liking for yourself. You’ll be able to not identify w the shame anymore, yet have empathy for what it feels like to have it, and to not be able to live a worthy, satisfying life.
I was all self hate. I didn’t know what it felt like to be even neutral or accepting towards myself, let alone appreciate some thing about myself, for like my entire life until recently, a while into recovery. If I tell you that this will change, you really can take my word for it.
The shame is where it’s supposed to be rn. And it will be different, if you change. Just get to work. You can change.
Welcome back Brandee . Great to see you stacking up the days . The guilt and shame are tricky. It’s good to remember how nasty it is to be in the throws of addiction but at the same time we don’t want it to consume us and keep us in the past. You should be proud of yourself with the progress you are making now. We can’t get out past back but we can make sure to stay sober and forge a better path for our future.
Check out the What’s YOUR plan? Thread. It’s helpful to set forth a solid plan and support system. ODAAT