Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is a pivotal time to begin making decisions in alignment with your healthy self. You get to put down the parts of you rooted in patterns of addiction, limiting beliefs, and past trauma. Identifying your true values and making decisions from that space leads to holistic wellness.
Values-Based Approach to Therapy
While there are many types of treatment and therapy for addiction recovery, some people need specific interventions to help them discover the values their authentic self holds. One particularly helpful framework for this is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
ACT is a type of treatment centered around helping you accept thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Once you become comfortable with this, you take action to enact the changes you desire to cultivate in your life.
Creating Change Although There Is Nothing to Fix
ACT also teaches you that you can accept your past and present situations while also taking actions directed toward making the changes you want for your life. Many individuals believe change only happens from a space of guilt, shame, and self-judgment. Contrary to this belief, change is only possible when it’s done from a space of acceptance, compassion, and allowance.
Identifying Your Values
When working through the framework of ACT with your therapist, part of your sessions may involve exploring your values. Identifying what is important to you both now and looking forward can bring awareness to what changes you need to make and the actions you must take to get there. Again, this must be done from a space of self-acceptance and compassion.
Healing comes down to allowing yourself to be supported in our journey. Similarly, you must constantly make decisions that align with your healthy self rather than your unhealthy self. The unhealthy version of you is used to making choices based motivated by an addicted or disordered mind, and those things do not serve you well.
You are not your addiction or your mental illness. Receiving effective, evidence-based, and holistic treatment gives you the opportunity to heal—mind, body, and soul.
Learning what you truly value and making decisions from a space of health, compassion, and acceptance is what helps you achieve healing from addiction and mental illness. At Avalon Malibu, we understand how challenging change can be. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team of professionals is here to support you in reaching the goals and desires you have in your life. With our help, you can move beyond feeling stuck in the experience of addiction and mental illness. Call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
