Restoring Self-Esteem is a Vital Part of Recovery

What a Drug Rehab Should Have: Restoring Self-Esteem

When someone is trapped in drug or alcohol abuse, he has lost much of his perspective on life. He is only thinking about how he can get more drugs or drink, due to his intense cravings and the desire to avoid withdrawal. The skills and abilities he once had may have gone by the wayside as his only focus is on where and how he can find drugs and/or alcohol. His self-esteem, due to actions he has done that he never would even consider before substance abuse, is shot.

Self-Esteem Can Be Restored in Rehab

Once he has decided to get clean, the recovering alcoholic or drug user may face another challenge. Finding an effective rehab program that one can be confident will teach him the skills he needs to remain sober after he has completed rehab may be difficult. Self-esteem is vital to recovery, according to the World Health Organization’s guidelines. When one has lost respect and esteem for himself, it is difficult to make the right choices. He should restore his self-esteem in order to make forward progress and be able to remain sober.

Self-Esteem is Recovered at Narconon

The Life Skills component of the unique Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is a very important part of the comprehensive rehab program. Restoring self-esteem comes about gradually as a person finds relief from the past and builds up the skills he needs for sober future.

On one of the courses, he learns how to restore his own integrity and moral values. He learns techniques he can use to make up damage to those he may have hurt while he was using drugs or alcohol. In addition, he learns how he can overcome his guilt and replace it with a renewed responsibility for himself, his family and his community.

On another course, he learns specific, step-by-step formulas he can use in order to advance in his life. If he wants to improve a particular aspect of his business or personal endeavors, this course teaches him tools he can apply to any situation to make things better. Once he understands how precisely these steps work, he will know how to make almost any situation better. The application of these tools results in an ability to improve conditions around him. Knowing he has done so will go far towards improving his feeling of self-worth and self-esteem.

By the time he finishes studying the life skills courses, he is ready to make a plan for the future, without the need for drugs or alcohol. All of the courses are very effective in helping Narconon graduates restore their self-esteem and maintain long-lasting sobriety.

John Restored His Self-Esteem and his Sobriety at Narconon

John was able to kick his alcohol habit with the help of the Narconon program. He said before he got to Narconon he was very depressed and drank all the time. He said he was a very unhappy person. His family had tried to help him for many years, but he was unwilling to have their help. His self-esteem was shattered so badly that for six months before coming to Narconon, he had no contact with his family at all.

Upon completing the life skills portion of the program, John said that he restored his relationship with his family which is now excellent. John added that now he has a lot of friends. He concluded, “I feel great since completing the whole program. I love waking up every morning. This was the greatest choice I’ve ever made.”

John restored his self-esteem and regained his sobriety with the help he received from Narconon.

Next > Self-Respect

Back to Guidelines on Effective Recovery

Reference:

Conclusions from a United Nations Inter-Agency Meeting, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1999.