Self-Forgiveness: Living With the Consequences of Past Mistakes

Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) may have a history of making risky or life-altering decisions while under the influence of substances. Living with the consequences of those actions is often challenging. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), “The negative consequences of drug abuse affect not only individuals who abuse drugs but also their families and friends.” Family members, especially children, often experience the most profound side effects of substance abuse. The experts at West Coast Recovery Centers help clients practice self-forgiveness and process the consequences of past mistakes using evidence-based treatments.

Health Benefits of Forgiving Yourself for the Consequences of Past Mistakes

Many people with SUD develop co-occurring mental health issues, including anxiety and mood disorders. Self-forgiveness reduces a person's risk of experiencing co-occurring conditions. According to Psychology Research and Behavior Management, “Research has shown that higher levels of self-forgiveness are related to biopsychosocial well-being, and more significantly, serve as a shield against several disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.” Self-forgiveness is an essential step in addiction recovery. Past mistakes should not stop people from rebuilding their lives and finding peace.

Self-forgiveness improves mental health and facilitates recovery by doing the following: 

• Decreasing stress levels 
• Increasing positivity
• Improving self-efficacy  
• Increasing self-acceptance and self-love 

People often feel more positive about themselves, their relationships, and life in general if they practice self-forgiveness. Being willing to accept the past and move forward allows clients in treatment to focus on healing and creating a sober life. 

The Effect of Substance Abuse on Cognition and Behaviors

Being influenced by substances does not absolve people from their choices. However, understanding the connection between certain behaviors and substance abuse can add important context and help clients move forward with their recovery. Chronic abuse of drugs or alcohol can impact a person's memory, focus, judgment, and ability to make sound decisions. Substances also reduce inhibitions, affect mood, and may influence a person's perception of reality. Self-forgiveness often starts with recognizing the many factors that contributed to a person's circumstances when they made the mistake. 

Psychoactive drugs, alcohol, and other substances may cause individuals to experience the following: 

• Dissociative episodes 
• Distortions in the perception of reality 
• Delusional beliefs 
• Paranoid thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors 
• Intense cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal 
• Extreme mood swings and changes in self-image (e.g., feeling “on top of the world” during highs and “worthless” during lows)

Chronic substance abuse causes changes to the brain's structure. According to Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, “The brain regions and processes that underlie addiction overlap extensively with those that are involved in essential cognitive functions, including learning, memory, attention, reasoning, and impulse control." West Coast Recovery Centers educates clients and their families on the connections between substance abuse and maladaptive behaviors.  

Common Life-Altering Decisions and How They Impact Recovery

People grappling with the consequences of life-altering decisions often feel like they are the only ones who have ever faced those circumstances. However, many people in recovery have similar life experiences and share common past mistakes. Peer support during treatment often facilitates self-forgiveness by showing people they are not alone. The care team guides clients through processing past mistakes and learning to accept moments of their past they cannot change. 

Although everyone has a unique experience, many people fall into similar patterns of behavior while under the influence of substances, including: 

• Choosing substance abuse over family responsibilities
• Conflict with partners or other family members 
• Debt or financial instability due to spending money on drugs or alcohol 
• Selling items of sentimental value to support substance abuse 
• Legal issues caused by substance abuse 

Support groups and group therapy are excellent modalities for processing these events and finding healthy ways to heal and move forward.

How West Coast Recovery Centers Can Help You Live With the Consequences of Past Mistakes

People learn to live with mistakes by accepting the past, addressing the emotional pain caused by what happened, and choosing to make better decisions in the future. The care team uses psychotherapy, peer support, and family therapy to treat SUD and help people recover from the side effects, including persistent feelings of shame or guilt. People often feel more positive about themselves and their circumstances when they have a strong support system. The mental health and addiction recovery experts at West Coast Recovery Centers provide clients with the resources, skills, and support they need to heal and recover from the emotional damage caused by past mistakes. 

Focusing on the Future and Not the Past

According to the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, “The negative thinking that underlies addictive thinking is usually all-or-nothing thinking, disqualifying the positives, catastrophizing, and negatively self-labeling.” Treatment provides clients with the tools they need to combat negative thoughts and change how they view themselves or their circumstances. Clients are encouraged to focus on the future and not the past. Clinicians guide clients through acknowledging past mistakes and using them as life lessons. 

Individuals with substance use disorder may feel overwhelmed by the consequences of past mistakes. Self-forgiveness allows people to process past mistakes and move forward without letting the consequences of their choices continue to affect their future. Accepting the past and using the skills learned in therapy to move forward allows people to forgive themselves and build a solid foundation for a healthier future. The dedicated care team at West Coast Recovery Centers uses psychotherapy, peer support, psychoeducation, and family therapy to help clients heal from the emotional fallout and consequences of choices made while under the influence of substances. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (760) 492-6509.