A Sense of Self-awareness Is Key to Overcoming Addiction

Before we get into what Sense of Self-awareness is all about. Let’s talk statistics.

Did you know that more than 10 percent of U.S. children live with a parent with alcohol problems? The numbers are real. Global ramifications on families are severe as alcohol misuse is the “fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability; among people between the ages of 15 and 49, it is the first” (Alcohol Facts Statistics).

That’s an appalling number of young parents leaving children behind.

What would you say if I told you that there’s a way to move from addiction to a restored Sense of Self-awareness? Maybe you have a family member who has a substance abuse problem. Perhaps when you read the stats above you may have already identified a child or a family who has been affected by this addiction. Or maybe it’s you?

People in addiction recovery often lose their self-esteem, which can result in depression.

Women are likely to carry great shame from the consequences of their drinking or addiction to drugs because they may have had children removed from their care. Or due to a host of other negative consequences such as DUI’s, time in jail, lost jobs and marriages, or worked in the sex industry.

During this time, their self-esteem and Sense of Self-awareness suffers, and so do their families.

“During the first four years of my recovery, I found it necessary to seek professional help since my emotional health was extremely poor.”  – Bill W. (founder of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Once a substance abuser has admitted their problem, stopped drinking or using drugs, and participated in a recovery program such as Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) the work has just begun.

Professional guidance outside of substance abuse recovery programs is direly needed because not being in touch with yourself is, due to this particular condition, a thing that goes unnoticed by the person who is afflicted.

Restoring your Sense of Self and greater growth as a person to ultimately become a whole person can, especially for substance abusers, only take place with commitment and support.

The Sense of Self (SoS) Method

The author and founder of Healthy Sense of Self (HySoS), Antoinetta Vogels, has spent years researching and treating individuals using her solutions for regaining a healthy Sense of Self.

The following changes occur when you restore your Sense of Self:

• Less substance abuse
• Healthier habits
• Moderation in behaviors related to shopping, sex, use of the internet, watching TV, gambling, food, and much more
• Less compulsiveness, need for control
• Higher self-esteem, self-confidence
• Better companions and lasting relationships
• Better parenting!

Children, whose mother has been unavailable (due to her addiction or incarceration), are bound to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. The odds are they will remain stuck in lifelong negative patterns or developing other addictive behaviors themselves (such as moving from alcohol to food).

If a child doesn’t grow up with a healthy awareness of being their own person, to begin with, they have a higher risk of abusing drugs and alcohol. The SoS Method states that many people would think twice before ruining their mind, body, and Self.

Working on Sense of Self-awareness opens the door to another path in life in that it provides an opportunity for further self-realization and growth.

Antoinetta Vogels created the Sense of Self Method and Course, which provides tools and solutions for connecting with your true Self.

People who have completed the Sense of Self  Course have moved closer to the fulfillment of their full potential and authentic Self.

Positive changes we’ve seen from the Sense of Self Method include:

• Real self-confidence
• Overall higher quality of life
• Comfortable facing your fears
• Ability to live life to the fullest
• Better equipped to deal with criticism
• Comfortable in your skin
• Being comfortable being in most crowds
• Happy being by yourself
• Knowing what you want in life
• Better flow in your life
• Aligned with your success blueprint
• Overall health and well-being

Those in recovery will find this course especially useful . . . as a way to find a better way of life beyond past experiences and poor choices.

Learning to see that regaining self-confidence starts with restoring your Sense of Self gives you the tools to remain true to yourself and value and honor yourself, your very own personhood. I believe this is the way to overcome addiction with lasting results.

I hope that this article offers you some insight. Please know that it’s possible for life to improve, even after addiction. Family ties can heal. It IS possible for women to take back control. . . and don’t we owe it to our children as well?

We’d love to hear from you!

Please leave your comments, suggestions, and/or questions in the space below. What do you think about the concept of Sense of Self-awareness? 

For immediate help with recovery please visit StartYourRecovery.org

To discover your Sense of Self-awareness level, take our 90-second quiz!