It is not unusual for women to worry about the future when they first finish an addiction treatment program. These concerns can make it difficult for them to settle into and progress in their recovery. Learning how to stop being insecure about staying sober can help them clear a path toward enjoying life again.
Why Women Feel Insecure In Early Recovery
Part of the reason women feel insecure during their early recovery is that they become preoccupied with relapsing. Between 40% and 60% of people relapse following substance use treatment. That rate is about the same for people with high blood pressure or asthma who discontinue their medications.
Women also have unique challenges and experiences and different needs than men in recovery. They have increased stigma attached to their substance use because people see them as the caretakers in society. About 70% of women entering treatment have children. They are much more likely than men seeking treatment to be their children’s primary caregivers.
Worrying about their ability to stay abstinent because they feel so much pressure to do so can hamper women’s recovery. Feeling less insecure in their lives and better about themselves can help them in several ways.
The Benefits of Feeling Secure
Feeling secure leads to higher self-esteem and resilience in the face of obstacles. There are several benefits to healthier self-esteem that can help women in recovery, including:
- An ability to express their needs
- Confidence in their decision-making ability
- The capacity to form secure relationships and stay away from relationships that are unhealthy
- The power to set realistic expectations for themselves
- Better handling of stress and setbacks
Women who have completed treatment programs can take positive steps toward fighting back against their insecurities. Like recovery, it is a gradual process that starts with the desire to live a happier life.
How to Stop Being Insecure
Women should stop asking themselves, “Why am I so insecure?” The question itself implies that there is something wrong with them. Instead, women in recovery should learn how to deal with insecurities. There are several ways they can do this, including:
- Watching for low self-esteem signs and taking preemptive action such as challenging negative thoughts
- Taking baby steps and celebrating small victories instead of expecting change overnight
- Getting away from things that lead to insecurity about the potential for relapses, such as the people, places, and situations that surrounded their use
- Focusing on the positive and the things that bring happiness
- Spending as much time as possible with support networks
- Focusing on their needs first, such as eating good meals and taking time to relax away from any stressors
- Understanding that relapse is often a normal part of recovery for people with substance use disorders, not a failure
Get Help If You Are Feeling Insecure
You don’t have to go it alone after completing your substance use program. If you need extra support, contact Canyon Crossing Recovery. We offer comprehensive, long-term treatment options for women. Let us help you solidify your positive behaviors so you can experience your healing with dignity and grace and find the happiness you deserve.
