Need advice.
I need some advice. I have been on and off sober for about a year now. My life is amazing. Learned two new languages. Doubled my income and lost 50 lbs in that year. I am now sober for good. Legit no cravings or anything and don’t even care to drink because I have seen how powerful I can be when sober. My issue is I can’t fully enjoy life because the shame of the things iv done and said of a decade of AUD keeps creeping back into my mind. Anyone have any tips on how to deal with past shame so I can fully enjoy the here and now and he excited for the future. Thanks!
1 Like
I was in the same boat. Lucky I found a good AA sponsor, and through the steps I have made the appropriate amends to the people I really fucked over while drinking. Can't change the past, but you can truly take the time to revisit every situation that causes you shame, and make the amends
2 Likes
Work the steps. They’re not just a blueprint for getting sober, they’re a blueprint for life.
4 Likes
I had the same haunting thoughts also. I came to realize that my Higher Power forgave me, and I forgave myself. I give myself a break because I was really sick in my disease of addiction. Working the Steps lifted a huge burden of my past shameful actions. And today, when I think about a situation from the past that causes guilt/shame/bad memories, I say a little prayer asking my HP to forgive me because I was sick - and I ask that the thought goes away. And ‘poof’ - it does, like smoke after blowing out a candle. Focus on today; we can’t do anything about the “cancelled check” of the past! Be well!
3 Likes
What they said. Stopping drinking was almost the easy part looking back. It was cleaning up the past that took time, patience and work!
1 Like
You aren't that person anymore. You would forgive your friends for past transgressions. Forgive yourself. I struggle with this sometimes too but all it does is bring me down. Look forward not backwards
1 Like
The steps are our path to freedom...
Personally, I brought my addiction out of the dark and into the light. I decided I would not hide it, I admit I had a problem, I stopped feeling embarrassed about attending meetings. It was no longer going to be a cloud over me. That in itself made it much easier to talk to people and repair the damage I had caused. I apologized, I forgive myself and God forgives us when we ask. Work the steps!