Guilt and remorse tell us that we should do things differently next time.
After we act out sexually, we often feel guilt, remorse, and regret about our behaviors. We also recognize that we are powerless to stop the cycle of our addiction, which causes further feelings of shame. Plus, whatever feelings we were trying to escape by engaging in our addiction return, bringing with them the self-loathing, anxiety, and depression sent us spinning into the cycle of our addiction in the first place. And with that, our addiction is triggered anew. Is it any wonder that we can’t seem to get sober without help?
Task for Today
Think about what you feel like after you act out. Then ask yourself, “Is the temporary emotional escape of acting out worth the aftermath?”