Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) may struggle with low self-esteem. Stigma, guilt, shame, and a loss of confidence cause people to feel uncertain about their ability to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety. However, according to the Annals of General Hospital Psychiatry, “Self-esteem is an important component of psychological health.” Cultivating self-worth promotes resilience and can help people heal more quickly from the effects of chronic substance abuse or mental health disorders. The Guest House promotes positive self-esteem by providing individuals with a safe, nurturing space to grow and heal.
The Impact of Trauma and Addiction on Self-Worth
Low self-worth is sometimes the result of the negative social consequences that occur because of addiction. For example, someone may lose a close friend because of their substance abuse. This may lead them to feel less worthy of receiving support during recovery.
Relationship trauma and other factors may present a barrier to treatment as these factors cause people to feel ashamed or guilty about their condition. Fortunately, treatment programs provide individuals in recovery with the tools to address unhealthy thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors. Gaining insights and receiving social support often reduces symptoms related to trauma and addiction.
People can heal and move forward in their recovery journey by building essential skills in therapy. The Guest House offers trauma-specific treatment for individuals recovering from SUD and co-occurring trauma-related mental health issues. Trauma-specific treatment builds self-worth by addressing the underlying issues related to trauma and chronic stress.
What Does Cultivating Self-Worth Mean?
Improving self-worth is a skill people learn as they develop essential life skills. Cultivating self-worth is about recognizing and accepting one’s value as a person and involves building a positive relationship with oneself through self-acceptance and increased self-awareness. People often feel more fulfilled by improving self-worth and enhancing resilience.
Individuals in treatment for SUD can cultivate self-worth in many ways, including:
- Embracing all aspects of oneself, including perceived flaws
- Learning to say “no” and setting healthy boundaries
- Replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations
- Celebrating successes and acknowledging personal growth
- Practicing regular self-care
The Guest House prioritizes individualized care to ensure people feel supported and uplifted throughout early recovery. Building self-worth in treatment and continuing care helps people better understand themselves. Treatment provides individuals with the resources and tools to expand their skills and build upon their strengths.
Self-Worth in Addiction Recovery
Self-worth impacts how people feel about themselves during treatment and may affect multiple aspects of addiction recovery, including these areas:
- Motivation for recovery
- Responses to challenges and setbacks
- Mental health status
- Engagement in therapy
- Ability to set and achieve recovery goals
- Resilience related to triggers and symptoms
- Self-care behaviors
- Quality of relationships
- Ability to sustain long-term recovery
Increased self-worth allows people to more easily overcome challenges and build healthy routines in early recovery.
The Mental Health Benefits of Cultivating Self-Worth
People often report improvements in mental health when they change how they see themselves and their worth as a member of society. Some of the mental health benefits of cultivating self-worth include the following:
- Reduced stress
- Better emotion regulation
- Improved mood stabilization
- Reduced anxiety
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Better stress management
- More self-compassion
- Greater quality of life
Individuals with improved mental health often have better outcomes and smoother transitions from structured treatment to aftercare. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “People with a SUD may also have other mental health disorders, and people with mental health disorders may also struggle with substance use.”
Improving mental health reduces the symptoms and side effects of both conditions by ensuring people gain critical insights and have access to essential support services.
How Does The Guest House Assist Clients in Cultivating Self-Worth?
Experts at The Guest House help clients improve their self-worth by doing the following:
- Listening with nonjudgmental empathy
- Acknowledging and celebrating achievements
- Providing positive reinforcement
- Encouraging self-compassion
- Assisting clients in setting realistic goals
- Providing educational resources
- Modeling healthy behaviors
- Guiding clients through various exercises to improve self-reflection
- Fostering a safe and supportive environment
The clinical team guides clients to challenge negative beliefs about themselves and how others see them. Introspection, mindfulness, and self-awareness help clients think more objectively about their worth, which improves their self-esteem and self-efficacy.
Developing a Healthier Sense of Self
Everyone has moments when they may not feel “good enough” to meet their own unrealistic expectations. Finding a way to make peace with yourself and your current situation reduces stress, improves self-worth, and increases confidence. Focusing on inner strengths and challenging negative self-talk can assist people in developing a healthier sense of self. The Guest House encourages clients to use the skills they learn in treatment to create the foundation for a more fulfilling life.
Peer support also plays a vital role in building self-confidence and self-worth. If individuals interact with peers who treat them with dignity and respect, they may find it easier to start thinking of themselves more positively. Peer support is an essential part of treatment at The Guest House. Group therapy, support groups, and community activities provide clients with many opportunities to build healthy social connections and create a healthier sense of self.
Individuals in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) benefit from strengthening resilience and finding ways to accept their circumstances. Being willing to accept the realities of recovery from substance abuse improves treatment outcomes. Rehabilitation programs empower clients by giving them the tools to connect thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with emotional responses. This improved self-confidence and increased self-awareness promote personal growth and healing. Clients collaborate with clinicians at The Guest House to determine what skills and therapeutic techniques may help them gain the confidence and insights they need to create a more positive self-image. Building self-worth is easier with a supportive team of professionals to help you. To learn more about our program and trauma-specific therapies, call us at (855) 483-7800.