How do you deal with low self-esteem while in recovery?

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19 months sober here. It was very hard before, during, after my 4/5/6 steps, which I repeated because I found myself still being self orientated as life threw new challenges at me, including my wife saying she wanted a divorce after a year of counseling (which was about a year into my sobriety). At one point in a discussion mtg I asked "I am really struggling to know if I am, at heart, a good person who did bad things, or just a bad person? Because if it's the latter, I'm struggling to see the point in all of this". There was encouragement that day, but no easy answers. But I have found that when I walk the walk of this program - go to meetings, seek out applicable readings in AA literature, ask for help in mtgs or call my sponsor, it helps. I no longer believe I am a person beyond redemption. I was a victim of my drinking as much as others in my life were, and while I need to be accountable, I also need to understand that the sober me is different and represents a clean start from the alcoholic me. This was hard because I didn't enter the program until age 55, started drinking on a regular basis around 13, 14 years old. I've also suffered all my life from anxiety and depression. At the recommendation of my doctor who knew all what I was going through, he suggested I see a psychiatrist. I had seen one in the past and had been on a maintenance dose of 20 mg Paxil/day. Working with the psych, we took my Paxil up to 40 mg a day, and added 10 mg of busperine for anxiety 3 x a day. It made a big difference as well. I share that because many of us are dual diagnosis, with some kind of mental health issues in conjunction with addiction/alcoholism. If the program isn't fully working, it's perfectly fine to seek out professional help. I had used therapy and medication for my depression and anxiety starting in 2000, but it wasn't until I started AA that it all really started to become more effective. They have really worked together for me in ways I wasn't expecting.

likehelpfuluplifting

Thank you so much for your message, D1. You have a good and brave soul, and are an inspiration! 🎉🎉🎉

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I do things that I can see my progress in. Lifting weights. Chess. Etc. That sense of achievement goes a really long way for me. For what it’s worth, I also started cold plunging which is just amazing for my mood too.

likehelpful

You should just take it one step at a time. Drugs and alcohol kill your dopamine receptors, so when you're out that exacerbates all of your psychological issues - depression, anxiety, low confidence.:

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Trust that it’s going to get just a little bit better each and every day you are sober because it will and over time you will feel differently.

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Created self esteem by doing esteemable acts is what worked for me

likeuplifting

Came here to say this.

Emdr!

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Buy a Porsche.

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Saw my therapist this past Friday and he gave me a useful trick to build better behavior patterns. Whenever you have work to do but would rather nap or something, tell yourself 3 negative effects of the nap and 3 positive effects of doing the work. You might still take the nap, but if you can get in the habit of thinking of it negatively, you'll take less naps when you need to be doing other things.

Doesn't matter what the activities are. Could be working out vs eating more, could be socializing IRL vs wasting time in FB (lol)

Anyone else heard of this/tried it?

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I’ve been going through it this month. Was on Buspirone for 4 weeks which caused a n of depression. Now I just started Zoloft and I’m feeling extra anxious and hypersensitive. One of my colleagues made fun of an idea I suggested and I’m taking it way more seriously than I should. How did your journey go to get on meds and adjust to them? I hate feeling so up and down.

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I got out of my water drinking habit and finding it hard to build back up to 100oz + per day. I don’t like the fact I’ve added in drinks with fake sweeteners to get more fluid intake. What do you all drink to supplement water that is better than some artificially flavored and/or colored beverage? I feel nothing exists and I just need to get back to my water habit. Maybe any good water bottles that help you drink more?

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Hoping you all can stand with me in prayer. I’m emotionally and spiritually tired. I want my peace back. My self esteem has taken a huge shot. And I feel like I’m in a spiritual tug of war.

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Hi All,
Just want your suggestion on this to help me decide.
I've been working in QA team for big data project and recently I've got offers from Startup and service based MNC as data engineer for the role of Data Engineer.
I've not worked on the actual development of ETL batches till now but I want to learn and grow gradually.

What kind of organisation would be best for me considering my mental health as well because I take too much stress ?

Thanks 🙏

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One of the things that my ADD coach helped me with was realizing that I wasn’t prioritizing activities that help me feel recharged. Between work and home responsibilities, I was just burnt out and overwhelmed.

So now when I start to get burned out I focus on reducing auditory overwhelm, getting outside, listen to music, get comfortable, read a fun book, etc.

As we’re heading into the weekend, what are some things you do to recharge and give yourself a break?

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When it comes to therapy do I look up a place online and make an appointment or do I need some sort of referral? Not sure if I need to see a therapist or physiatrist really.

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My new agency’s healthcare plan only has ONE physician in NYC listed as in-network... is a plan this limited the norm?!

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What are the healthcare options like in India? I'll be needing regular care and I'm not sure what the insurance providers are and if care works differently in general.

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I want to know whether the Medical Policy of 3 Lac which is given by the company by default in which along with me my immediate dependents like my spouse and children are covered or not?

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6am gym stop before going to client site 💪🏻👍🏼

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Definitely getting sick. Picking up a cough and everything hurts. Good thing my team has a big deliverable tomorrow.

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Is it normal to feel numb around the holidays? I'm tired, dealing with seasonal affective disorder and a really tough caseload right now. Not in the holiday spirit at all and honestly don't even want to be, I just want to spend the weekend resting. Is it bad that I don't care about it at all this year?

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One of my relatives just asked me if turmeric will defend against Covid...noooooo

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Nearly killed me this morning leaving my fiancé at home after he was up all night with a stomach bug. Thankfully I’m local, but annoyed this proposal is keeping me away from helping him through this

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I feel like I’ve been neglecting this bowl. 😔 I’ve been doing keto with 16/8 intermittent fasting for the past month. By the time it hits my eating window, I’m starving and I don’t have time to make instagrammable meals. Like the one below 😄: Eggs and breakfast sausage with Spanish and Buttered cauliflower rice, and a salad. Not very exciting, I know. But what’s exciting is I dropped 15lbs!!! 😁

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Have any of you developed tolerance to ADHD meds in the past? Makes me feel like something is wrong with me

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I’m so happy to say that after about 5 years of being here, I’m finally done with the exam!!! In a world full of internet trolls, it was so refreshing to be on this thread while we all cheered for each other and pushed each other to climb over our failures and discouragements. Thank you for all who have posted helpful comments, asked poignant questions and left their encouragement! If I can pass, you will pass! Best of luck everyone!

likeupliftinghelpful

Passed all four with one day to spare before two fell off. 🥳 best of luck to everyone

likeupliftingsmart

I received an offer from a boutique litigation firm and a large law firm on the same day! I want to take a little time to consider both. What’s the typical time frame to respond?

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UBS If I had to move within the company to a different location , how does it work? For example if I move from low cost of living area to high cost of living area does the company re-evaluate the base salary within USA? Or do they come back and mention its your family requirement since your partner is located and you are moving ?Suggestions or experiences any !

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Wrapping up 2021...

Do you have any reflections on this year? Biggest takeaways? How will you close it out?

Drop below to share 👇

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How close are we to a market bottom?

funnylikehelpful

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Trying to get rid of this casino addiction.. every time I drink,m or I’m bored... thoughts of blackjack stream in

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I started working for a bank and am going through the background check. They found an arrest which was dismissed and the file was sealed a few days after the check. They’re requesting the police report on top of the court order to seal. The police report is BAD. During the arrest (DUI) they wrote the report to make me seem like a complete lunatic. Embellished on several elements of the case. I am worried that giving them this report will cause me to be let go.

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Hello to all,
If you need someone to save from addiction we can try.
Just contact me

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I told myself I wasn’t going to do it. Re-assured myself I wasn’t going to do it. Told myself you’d know what would happen and still ended up gambling away a bunch of money I know I couldn’t blow. I don’t understand.

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Some good advice from my sponsor as I go into this stressful week:

- Invite your Higher Power into the meetings with you
- Be your authentic self
- Be there to help others

likehelpful

1 week sober! Over the last 12 years (I’m early 30s) I’ve reached this point just a handful of times. Alcohol is deeply intertwined into my social life much like everyone’s is I imagine. Feeling clear minded and energized. Want to stay clean for my own mental and physical health and for the benefit of my wife and children. Just starting this journey so thank you in advance to this community as I’m ready to learn from you all and be a part. Let’s go!

likeuplifting

Any meditation stories on recovery anyone willing to share? Did you have break through moments during meditation?

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Sharing some thoughts I’ve had lately:

The end of my suffering occurs with the death of my ego. I am reborn when I surrender to life exactly as it is, right at this moment (and it’s always “this moment”). I can begin to grow when I either accept life as it is, or I change my life because I can’t accept it. The better I become at surrender and acceptance, the more I experience serenity. After a long enough time I realize I’ve had a spiritual awakening. Now I am peace / joy / love.

☮️ 😊❤️

likesmart

Hey all, just claiming my seat on a Saturday night. Was just struggling and another comment helped me get back to a healthy space. If anyone is struggling tonight, know there’s one fellow here thinking of you

likeuplifting

Pause. Breathe. Proceed.
⏸ 🌬 ▶️

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I am sex addict. I have to continue to remind myself that I am always in recovery. Had a major acting out a month ago, lost my fiancé and just taking one day at a time. That’s all I can do. Just remind myself so I don’t stop working

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Another fly day, but today is 1 year sober for me. I used to love airports because I could run to a bar as soon as I pass security on a Monday morning. Yet I didn't think I had a problem.

likehelpful

Have any of you found it worthwhile to think about why you are an addict? Care to share?

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Had a really bad day 😞 I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. Things will be going well and then out of nowhere I get blackout drunk. I am tired of feeling sick and anxious from drinking. I don’t really even want to drink sometimes but do it anyway. Blacked out last night, and still feel sick now. I’ve never shared with anyone that I have this problem, until I found this message board. I have so much anxiety that I won’t be able to get this under control. I feel isolated and sad.

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I'm new to this group so please forgive me if this is not appropriate. I've been trying to cut back on my drinks so have tried this no-groni kit from Seedlip. Pretty good.

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Just taking the opportunity to get current. Sober 3 years and 10 months. This past couple weeks have been stressful and my mind slipped into fantasizing about my drug of choice. Last week I flipped out at some of my wife's family. I did an amends and I think time will heal this one. It's all up to HP. Although I have neglected my morning practice this week, I'm practicing self compassion with positive self talk.

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Curious to hear the story of anyone that has overcome or going through cocaine addiction. Given that people in this bowl make enough money to support such an expensive habit. Take me through your story - how bad did it get in terms of daily consumption and total money spent? Please share if comfortable.

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I’m sober curious. I’m also about to help a new non-alcoholic spirit company with their launch.
I have a question for people in recovery. If a brand were to contend that sobriety is a spectrum, or allow for that to a least be part of the conversation, how does that make you feel? Are other brands doing a good job of being inclusive of people who are truly sober?
(I get that NA drinks / spirits can be triggering for people in recovery)
Thank you.

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Have been sober for many years but currently relapsed and am in a downward spiral. I’m close to losing my family but I can’t seem to get my head together. Feel like I need a few months out, maybe take some time off work… has anyone done similar and did it help?

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Looking for motivation to get me to my first Alcohol rehab appointment.

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