Many of us living with addictions, depression and other mental health issues also suffer from deeply rooted fears that we are inadequate or not good enough. These fears can be so deeply ingrained within us that they become thought disorders. When we are struggling with an inadequacy complex, it can make recovering from our addictions and mental health issues that much harder. We don’t love ourselves or believe in ourselves. We don’t have faith in our recovery. Mentally and emotionally we knock ourselves down at every turn. Healing means addressing all of our mental and emotional issues including our limiting beliefs about ourselves, not just our addictive behaviors.
To heal our inadequacy complex and give ourselves a better chance of recovery, we can start by being mindful of our self-talk, the inner dialogue that is always going on within us. What is our inner voice saying to us? Is it being uplifting or belittling? Is it empowering or self-destructive? We often aren’t aware of our thought patterns and we let them go unchecked. Taking notice of them is the first step in changing them. You can also write them down to help yourself keep track.
Now let’s sit with our fears and the emotional responses that we have. When our thoughts of inadequacy hit us, how do they make us feel? Maybe we feel envious of other people. Maybe we feel sad and like we can’t compete. Maybe we feel anxious or threatened. Whatever emotions come up, sit with them, and write them down if you’d like to. Breathe through all the painful thoughts and feelings that come up.
Let’s now choose self-talk that goes against the repetitive thoughts of our inadequacy complex. Where it tells us we’re not good enough, let’s affirm “I am more than good enough. I am loved.” Where it tells us we can’t compete with other people, let’s tell ourselves, “Competition is an illusion. I am unique and special.” Where we feel inner turmoil about our lack of self-worth and our low self-esteem, let’s use affirmations to help bring ourselves clarity such as “I am at peace within myself. I am calm. I am healed.” The more we deliberately repeat these new thought patterns, the more we can reprogram our subconscious minds to think in self-loving ways and the more we can in believe in ourselves and in our recovery.
Addiction comes with all kinds of emotional challenges. We’ve been through it, and we’re here to help. Call (800) 871-5440.