Guilt

[lady67]

How long does it take for the guilt to pass?  I have been clean 100+ days now, but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel guilty about the hurt I caused so many family members and friends. I love my family and I know that I have hurt them in the past, and I just can't get passed it.  They tell me they understand that it wasn't me doing those things, and they forgive me, but I can't forgive myself.  

[GoingToMakeIt]

Guilt seems to hang on forever. After awhile it moves from the forefront to the back of your thoughts. But it may never go away. Try using it as another tool to remember why you want & need to stay clean.

[el_em_en_oh]

One word... AfterCare. Or is that 2 words? Well, whatever. AfterCare, AA & NA meetings have helped me deal with my guilt.

I still feel the pangs, but then I tell myself that it's good to feel guilty from time to time to remind of the place I came from, and the place I don't want to go back to.

Congratulations on your 100+ days.

[10356]

Hi Lady.. I'm sorry you are dwelling with your guilt. I have given a lot of thought to this emotion, coupled with a lot of therapy. what I have found is it is so self defeating to carry around something you can not change. You have been forgiven by those that matter.. in a way they are being robbed of the forgiveness they offer.. by this I mean the shackles are obvious and our joy is diminished.. I have carried much guilt for wrongs done to me and wrongs I have committed against others.. There is not a balance with these 2 negative emotions.. Dump the guilt.. you can do this. it is our choice where we let our mind dwell and sometimes it is more comfortable to live the way we always have.. but we need to step out of the box and do what others fear to do.. this is the pride in a clean drug addict.. we overcome what others could not.. so I guess in a not shell. You can not change the past but you can dictate now and influence the future.. Your family is waiting for you.. warmly lesa

[dominosarah]

Check out some aftercare Lady.....you wont be disappointed.  We carry so much baggage and we need to learn how to deal with it.  The guilt takes time but it does happen.     sara

Congrats on your clean time!!!!!!!!!!          

[mikchez]

I think we all feel that way but it goes away if we are just honest and not going to repeat it
I know my family and friends don't trust me and thats understandable.I feel that forgiving my self happens by doing the 12 steps of NA/AA/ by cleaning up my side of the street. For me its knowing what I really am a real addict thats in recovery one day at a time some times it just one moment at a time we do this together not alone find someone in recovery that you can talk to. For my self when I isolate I have a favorite pass time of beating my self up. congratulations on the clean time. Its a lot easier staying clean than getting clean Amen to that.
Peace/Love