The Importance of Forgiveness in Recovery

Learning how to Overcome Your Past

Those who struggle with addiction, all struggle for different reasons, whether it was due to a family history of addiction or once being prescribed very addictive prescription pills and looking for the next best thing. In any addiction case, it’s vital to your recovery that you learn to forgive yourself and forgive others as this is a major part of the healing process.

Addiction tends to turn you against some of your closest and dearest friends and family, changing you into somebody that you don’t even know. Once you learn to forgive yourself as well as others, you are able to move on with your life. While it is not easy to do, as soon as you forgive, you will feel a massive weight lifted off of your shoulders. Despite how much time has gone by, it may still be difficult to truly overcome and forgive yourself and those around you. By taking control of your life and your emotions, you will be better able to forgive.

Health Benefits of Clearing Your Conscience

There are countless mental health benefits that come with relieving your conscience and forgiving yourself and those around you. Having clarity will allow you to carry on with your life having the reassurance to do so. If you do not forgive, you run the risk of increased anxiety and stress levels which are the last things an individual needs when you are in remission from addiction.

Letting go of the past will allow you to overcome the negative emotions that you feel so that you can enjoy long-term contentedness. By reaching a solid-state of physical and emotional well-being, your recovery journey will be an easier and more manageable one. It’s also important to know what will trigger negative emotions so that you can steer clear of them.

It’s normal to feel emotional during a time of recovery as this is a time of real change. Every aspect of your life is changing for the better and this adjustment period can often bring uncertainties and stress. Knowing how to control these emotions through various therapy and counseling, you’ll be able to maintain your sobriety.

Therapy and Counseling

It’s advisable for all who are recovering addicts to attend therapy and counseling once they have completed their treatment. Speaking to a counselor or therapist about your struggles can help you better navigate and manage your new sober life. It can be hard to adjust to a new way of life when you are so used to living a certain way and knowing how to handle each and every day will be the process much smoother.

Rebuilding relationships is also a large part of forgiveness in recovery. You may have lost touch with some of your closest friends during this period of your life and it might be time to reconnect with them as a newly sober individual. While rebuilding bridges is not always the easiest thing to do, it will give you closer and make you feel as though your choice to get better really was the best decision.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.