The value of self-compassion in recovery from substance use disorders

Abstract

Self-compassion offers a way to soothe and work through the suffering of addiction. Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and process addictions often struggle with self-judgment and self-criticism. This pattern of self-judgment often fuels the vicious cycle of addiction. Additionally, relapse is a common part of early recovery, making depression and anxiety common experiences for individuals seeking recovery. Finally, many who go into the field of addictions treatment are in recovery themselves or have a close family member impacted by addiction. Individuals with substance use disorders and treatment providers can both struggle with trauma and, thus, self-compassion becomes essential to positive therapeutic outcomes. This chapter seeks to provide the reader with an overview of how self-compassion can be a dynamic intervention for individuals and treatment providers working with individuals with substance use disorders. The authors will further discuss how self-compassion can be used to support wellness, resilience, growth, and healing for the entire addiction community.