Why Forgiveness Is So Important for the Recovery Journey

Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction is a long healing process, and is the time to work on yourself. But what about the people who you have wronged or hurt along the way? Addiction is a vicious disease that completely takes over one’s life, and as a result, you can damage healthy relationships. Asking for forgiveness once you’re sober is something all recovering addicts must do.  It is how you mend broken relationships. Feelings of guilt and shame are normal during this process and you may have done things that you believe are unforgivable. However, if you show people how much you have changed and grown as a person throughout your recovery, they can oftentimes find it in their hearts to forgive you. This process starts with learning how to forgive yourself before you ask for the forgiveness of others. Faith in Recovery provides faith-based addiction treatment in South Florida, and we explain the importance of forgiveness during the recovery journey below.

Making Amends

It’s normal to feel guilty about past mistakes you have made as a result of your addiction. You must realize the damage that you have done and ask for forgiveness from those you have harmed. Because of your actions, the trust has been broken and you must be able to show your loved ones how sorry you are and how you have changed as a person. This can be a difficult process, and it may take some time, but it’s part of a successful recovery. Gaining back trust and making amends to your loved ones will be worth it in the end and can be a lifechanging experience.

Forgiveness is also included in 12-step recovery programs, and you will learn how to overcome guilt and shame by practicing forgiveness. You must admit to all the wrongdoings of your past in order to move forward with a clean slate. You will be able to live a happy and healthy lifestyle in recovery when you learn to practice forgiveness on a daily basis.