Left unchecked, shame will eat your soul.
Research shows that shame – the belief that one is inherently defective and unworthy of love – neither encourages nor motivates positive change. Instead, it corrodes the hope and belief that one can change and live a better life. Over time, as festering shame leaves its victims feeling isolated and unlovable, those individuals begin to behave in ways that create that exact situation. For these people, shame leads not to positive change, but to behaviors that reinforce the shame. In cases of addiction, this shame cycle feeds the addictive cycle, and both must be broken if we hope to recover.
Just for Today
Look for feelings of shame. If they occur, notice if you feel triggered to act out.