People who enter addiction recovery programs often learn to make specific goals as part of their healing process. Setting goals can help you manage your progress as you work toward achieving each milestone. Learning to forgive is one of the most common goals for recovering addicts, but why is forgiving others so important?

Moving On

If you find yourself unable to reconcile unresolved feelings of anger and hurt in your life, you may be eroding your physical and emotional health. One study from experts at Johns Hopkins University suggests the act of forgiveness can calm stress levels and lower heart rate and blood pressure, among other benefits.

Some people are naturally more inclined toward forgiveness than others. However, the good news is that you can learn to become more forgiving. Just as with other life skills, you can make a conscious effort to hone your ability to forgive others and let go of past grudges.

Forgiveness in Recovery

Forgiveness is integral to the recovery process, especially when you consider how emotional burdens can weigh you down, causing self-destructive behaviors that may eventually contribute to a relapse. While it may take a significant amount of time, effort and even counseling on your part, letting go of past hurts and making amends are critical for long-term sobriety.

Abuse, trauma and harmful behavior from others can all make people more vulnerable to developing an addiction. Once you have identified the root causes of your addictive behaviors, you may understandably feel unwilling to forgive people who have caused you such significant pain and suffering. It’s critical to move on from these feelings in favor of greater well-being and acceptance in your life.

Many addicts also bear the burden of bad decisions that make them unwilling to forgive themselves. However, holding on to anger or frustration about your past actions can be even more toxic than begrudging others. The recovery journey will inevitably remind you of some of the lowest points of your addiction, which may raise emotions of guilt, anxiety or shame. Maintain a positive attitude and remind yourself of all the good reasons you decided to seek recovery in the first place.

Start Your Recovery With Us Today

Remember, recovery is an opportunity to make a fresh start in your life, starting with your commitment to a sober lifestyle. If you truly want to start anew, forgiveness is key to reclaiming inner peace. Gaining back your self-confidence and rebuilding bridges with loved ones will take time, and fully forgiving others, as well as them forgiving you, will be an ongoing process. Be patient, take things one step at a time and accept that setbacks are a normal and natural part of life.

At Canyon Crossing, our Arizona treatment program is structured to teach accountability and responsibility to women in recovery. If you are seeking lifelong sobriety, contact us today to verify your insurance and take the first step toward a fulfilling drug-free life.