Addiction is a disease of lying, deceit, and dishonesty. For many in recovery, it is important to get back to the true self, a person that does not possess those qualities. Although it is easier said than done, being true to the self and others in recovery can help with the healing that needs to take place. There are a few ways that individuals can work on living a truthful life throughout recovery.
Being True in What you Say
One way that you can start being true in recovery is to tell the truth and act in honesty. Throughout the conversation, instead of exaggerating or lying to get people to think a certain way about you, tell the truth; always. If you tell the truth in every conversation, it will be much easier to understand who you are. Dishonest individuals have to keep convincing others of their lies until they eventually believe them themselves. Telling the truth allows you to stay true to who you really are, no matter if someone likes you for it or not.
Being True in What you Do
Although the word is ever-so-important, so are actions. As the common saying goes, “actions speak louder than words”. Addiction can cause an individual to make decisions based on their cravings for their drug of choice. This results in behaviors that a person would otherwise not act out, and in turn, being dishonest to the true self. Throughout recovery, you will have to determine which actions are the truest to your true self; who you really are. You will soon find that most of your behaviors were a result of your developed addiction and that you will have to find alternate behaviors that speak to your inner self. For example, who you hang out with, the music you listen to, and even the clothes you wear may all have been a result of reacting to addictive behaviors or tendencies. Without the drug in your life, you can rediscover what influences your true self; rather than the addicted self.
Being True to The Self While you are Solo
Addiction doesn’t only affect what we say or do, but how we think. What we think says a lot about who we are. Throughout recovery, you will develop emotions and thoughts that were thwarted by drugs or alcohol. How you deal with them is who you are. How are you spending time alone with yourself? Is it damaging to your progress in recovery? Being true to yourself during downtime will allow yourself to grow and learn to accept all thoughts, good or bad, as they come.
Working on Being True to the Self
There are a few things that you can do throughout recovery to help stay on top of being true to yourself. These activities include:
- Meditating to find balance and inner peace through quiet inner self-reflection
- Journaling to offer expression to the self and acceptance of thoughts or emotions
- Practicing the truth in everyday conversation so that routine becomes habit
- Valuing the truth in all scenarios; whether alone or with others
- Fess up to falsities or lies as soon as they are said or performed to minimize damage and stay true to the self
Ready to Begin Being True to Yourself?
Are you sick of the way that addiction has affected your ability to stay true to yourself? Have you felt that you have lost your sense of true self? Fortunately, treatment is successful in helping individuals live a life free from their addictions and develop a true self to live for. Ready to see what The Discovery Institute of New Jersey can do for you? Check out our website to view all of our programs and services. Have questions? Give us a call today to confidentially talk to an addiction specialist about treatment services that may help you at 888-616-7177.
Dr. Joseph Ranieri D.O. earned his BS in Pharmacy at Temple University School of Pharmacy in 1981 and His Doctorate Degree in Osteopathic Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine Addiction Certification. Dr. Ranieri has lectured extensively to physicians, nurses, counselors and laypeople about the Disease of Addiction throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 2012.
