The 12 Palms rehab blog publishes weekly addiction related articles directed to help and guide families and addicts on the addiction treatment and recovery.
Even without the problems that substance abuse brings, life can be a real struggle for an individual that is unable to handle their emotions. Without emotional maturity, it is virtually impossible to find real happiness. Adults who don’t mature emotionally are also more likely to engage in substance abuse. They turn to chemicals as a means to escape the pain caused by their emotions. It becomes a catch-22 situation, because addiction arrests further emotional development, and they become stuck.
When an addict decides to enter rehab facility and finally gives up alcohol or drug use, they will need to once again focus on their emotional development. If they fail to do so, they will struggle to build a comfortable life away from their addiction.
When a substance abuser first becomes sober, they can have a long list of grudges
against those who have hurt them in the past. In order to get on with their life, it’s crucial
for them to be able to let go of those grudges and offer forgiveness. If they are unwilling
to forget about past wrongs, it may hold them back in recovery or even lead to relapse.
Those who do manage to get beyond their past will usually find that it greatly benefits
their new life.
Forgiveness is the process of ending the resentment, indignation, or anger that results
from a perceived offence. Not only is it possible for an addict to offer forgiveness to other
people, but it is also possible for them to forgive themselves for past bad behavior.
“When an addict is finally willing to admit that they are completely powerless over their addiction and need help recovering, they are left with a choice.”
