Restoring one’s self-esteem
BEING an addict takes a heavy toll on a person, in all spheres of his/her life.
Addicts neglect to take care of themselves, and this in turn has a negative impact on their self-esteem.
Self-esteem is defined as the opinion that you have of yourself, and is related to your self-worth and your value.
Self-esteem is an internal belief system and how you experience life externally.
It is based on your attitude towards your value as a person, the career that you are in, your achievements, your interpersonal relationships, your purpose in life, your potential for success, your strengths and weaknesses, your social status and your independence.
Low self-esteem causes depression, unhappiness, insecurity, and poor confidence.
Others’ desires may take preferences over yours. Inner criticism, that nagging voice of disapproval inside you, causes you to stumble at every challenge, and challenges seem impossible. Building self-esteem is a focal point for an addict in recovery, and it is an aspect that requires continuous work. Self-esteem increases your confidence.
If you have confidence, you will respect yourself, and if you respect yourself, you can respect others.
Here are some suggestions to improve your self-esteem:
- Face your fears – they may not be as bad as you ay think they are;
- Forget your failures – learn from them and avoid making the same mistakes again;
- Know what you want and ask for it –you deserve your dreams to come true;
- Reward yourself when you succeed – no one else will;
- Talk – find someone you trust and explore and express your feelings;
- Don’t be defeated – try something else, you are not going to be defeated by one failed attempt.
- Self-image is how you see yourself in relation to others.
This may be how you see yourself physically, or it may be more about the idea you have of yourself which could also be called self-concept.
All of these aspects are important as they affect your self-esteem.
You are only limited by your efforts and confidence, believe in yourself… It is easier to stay away from drugs than to get off them.