Tag: addiction

Unfinished Business

“Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be”
― James Baldwin

We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Sometimes we need to complete unfinished business before we can move forward toward new opportunities in life. Some of us may have left trails of broken laws and relationships. Things we need to address before moving on.

Our new life does not excuse us from past obligations. While the apostle Paul was in prison, he led a runaway slave named Onesimus to a new life in Christ. Would be forgiven.

Onesimus carried a letter from Paul to his master, which read: “I wasnted to keep Onesimus her with me. But I didnt want to do anything withour your consent. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me” (Philemon 1 : 13-16, 18).

Before we can move ahead to a new future, we can move ahead to a new future, we must face the unfinished business of the past. This includes offering to pay back what we owe, coming clean before the law, and going back to the people from whom we ran away. We cant assume forgiveness from people, although we can hope for it. In some cases we may be surprised to find pardon and release from the bondage of our past.

Advertisement

Addressing low self-esteem in substance abuse treatment

Therapists in rehabs everywhere work to improve the self-esteem and self image of their clients. Most people in recovery carry a lot of shame about their addiction. Some people feel weak or stupid for not having been able to quit on their own or for letting their substance abuse get as out of hand as it did.

Others are ashamed of things they did during active addiction, hurting friends and family. Mistreating themselves, allowing their health to decline, committing crimes against perfect strangers. These are very difficult things to come to terms with and accept. A big part of the problem is how conflicted most people feel about continuing to use substances and making these poor choices.Addiction rewires the brain to prioritize using substances over other things that an individual truly values-things like work, morality, independence, family and friends.

They dont want to do things that go against their values, but their brailns are telling them to go ahead and overlook those values. Many clients in rehab describe feelings of self-hatred, shame, guilt and worthlessness.

This is a tragic part of the disease of addiction and a key element that must be addressed in treatment for the mind, body and spirit to be healed.

I’m not sure where i got this article from, but I thought it was worth sharing.