Expert: Druideck - 3/17/2009

Question
i leave abuse tobbaco pan paragh manik chand etc etc so i m very depressed i feelings of guilt and worthlessness, etc. are all part of addictions  i m nor better so plzz sir advise me i m so so so deppresed

Answer
Good day,

all these feeling are quite normal
for a person with addictions.
The substances we use often mask
the feelings we have and so they
all come out when we stop abusing
or start recovery.

It helps to remember that feelings
are just feelings, they are not
the truth about you.

Feelings come from the thoughts we
have about ourself. These thoughts
may be conscious or unconscious.
They can heal in time if you
work on watching how you think.

Stop putting yourself down,
you are no worse than most
other human beings. We all feel
like we have failed at some time
in our lives.

Humans are capable of much bad and much
good. We have to make the choice each
day to do one or the other.
We cannot go back only forward.

The future can be what you want it
to be. It is okay to feel worthless
and guilty as this where you are
at. Some of your feelings might
be from judging yourself too harshly
or attacking yourself with bad thoughts.

Just try to turn all the negative
thoughts around. Say this,
"I am no worse than many people
who are recovering from the
illness of addictions"
"I can do better each day until I
start to feel more self-worth"
"I can be more gentle with myself"
"I need healing not punishment"
"I can do better if I am not putting
myself down"
"this too will pass and things will change
as I change for the better"

Keep working on improving your thoughts
and the feelings will change too.

Remember all humans feel this way
sometime and the only day is today
to be good to ourselves and the world
we see will gradually improve.

Take care and see a counsellor
if you need to talk or feel
very desparate. Talking things
out can help a great deal.
It helps us to see and accept our humanity.