Learning the Importance of Honesty in Addiction Recovery
Why Honesty Matters in Addiction Recovery
Although sobriety is not a moral characteristic, many people feel guilt and shame when it comes to addiction. Addicts tell loved ones what they want to hear to avoid issues and may lie to themselves because they are in denial. Lying is also a protective mechanism that helps you avoid facing complex realities. The reason why people lie varies from person to person but is often to prevent feelings of guilt and negative emotions. The importance of honesty in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction cannot be overstated. It can:
- Aid in rebuilding relationships and help loved ones regain trust in you as you take responsibility for your actions and offer sincere apologies.
- Help you avoid relapsing. If you lie to yourself, you may become complacent in your recovery, return to bad habits, and turn back to alcohol or drug abuse. Lying helps you temporarily avoid consequences, which can jeopardize your sobriety and lead you back to active addiction.
- Help you be more open and feel less trapped, increasing your overall sense of wellness and self-worth as you continue toward a successful recovery.
How to Be Honest With Yourself and Others
It can be challenging to be completely honest with yourself and with others when it comes to substance abuse and addiction recovery, as you may feel embarrassment, shame, or self-doubt, but honesty in addiction aids significantly in the recovery process, as even a white lie can lead to significant issues in personal relationships and life in general if unchecked. Some of the ways to avoid the dangers of dishonesty include:
- Keeping your commitments. Continue going to therapy, maintain sobriety friendships and ask for help when needed. This will promote better communication and help keep you on track.
- Telling the truth to the people around you by addressing pain you may have caused, using open communication, and letting them know what you are going through and how you feel. Maintaining honesty with the ones you care most about will bridge the gap between you and keep them involved as you recover from the disease of addiction.
- Acknowledge and address your feelings and emotions. This is often aided by a professional counselor, groups, or a therapist. It is also a practice you can do on your own at home through journaling, meditation, exercise, or art.
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Addiction Recovery Support at Novo Detox
If you are ready to seek professional addiction treatment for drug addiction or alcohol addiction, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Novo Detox. We customize our medical detox plans and inpatient (residential) treatment programs in our small, 6-bed luxury facility, incorporating holistic treatments with evidence-based therapies for a whole-patient approach to healing.
Drugs and alcohol do not need to run your life. Whether you are suffering from heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, meth addiction, or another substance use disorder, we can help you stop your drug or alcohol abuse for good in an integrated treatment plan.
Our dual diagnosis programs are for those with co-occurring disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, personality disorder, schizophrenia, etc., which are treated simultaneously with substance use disorders. Depending on your needs, you may also relate to an addiction psychologist, addiction psychiatrist, cognitive behavioral therapist, pain management specialist, chiropractor specialist, ortho healing, or physical therapist.
Even if you are a chronic relapser, in our addiction programs, you will learn how to deal with relapse triggers. We can refer you to partner programs for sober living homes, outpatient care, and long-term aftercare, living your life in recovery. Contact our admissions team at (844) 834-1777 today to verify insurance or learn more about our treatment programs.
