What are Core Beliefs In Addiction Recovery?
Core beliefs in addiction recovery are the foundational thoughts that people who struggle with substance use disorders have about themselves and others. Positive and negative core beliefs influence thoughts and shape behaviors, meaning they can either support or detract from the recovery process.
In many cases, people who have become addicted to alcohol or drugs have gone through some ‘bad’ things, but that does not make them ‘bad’ people. However, their negative beliefs and low self-esteem may lie to them, painting an inaccurate view of themselves.
The team at Icarus in New Mexico takes an evidence-based, holistic approach to healing. We understand that trauma-informed therapeutic approaches are sometimes the key to pointing a client back in the right direction.
We invite you to continue reading to learn how a negative inner monologue can contribute to addictive behaviors and how to change the narrative and heal.
Negative Core Beliefs and Low Self-esteem
Persistent negative thoughts and core beliefs – helplessness, unlovability, worthlessness – can reduce self-esteem and worsen mental health issues like drug and alcohol addiction.
Those who live with low self-worth often internalize the negativity about themselves. That internalization can worsen things, sometimes with devastating consequences: self-hate, anxiety, depression. The behaviors tied to these emotions can be substance abuse, sabotaging relationships, or self-isolation.
The cycle becomes self-perpetuating. What’s the way out of this negativity? Creating different circumstances by changing the negative core beliefs to positive ones.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Transforming Negative Emotions
CBT is an evidence-based treatment that helps change negative core beliefs. A trained therapist works with clients, helping each other to identify and challenge distorted negative thought patterns or negative beliefs that lead to mental or behavioral health challenges.
Once people learn to change their thinking patterns, they develop a better sense of self. This mindset shift lends itself to better mental health. CBT is very helpful for people experiencing substance use disorders.
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Timothy: A Success Story About Using CBT to Identify Core Beliefs in Recovery
‘Timothy,’ a 30-year-old, had suffered for years with painful emotions and betrayals. At 16, his stepdad kicked him out of his mother’s house, forcing him into the streets of Albuquerque. The trauma of abandonment caused him to feel helpless. He soon developed deep-seated beliefs that the world was an unforgiving, dangerous place.
Timothy used drugs to numb the pain. It worked at first but soon led him to anxiety and hopelessness. A community outreach worker who visited the streets and fed people daily grew increasingly worried about Timothy’s mental health. He helped connect Timothy with New Mexico Medicaid and referred him to Icarus. Because Timothy lacked stable housing and was in imminent danger of a total mental health crisis, they approved inpatient care.
Timothy’s case was challenging. He had left his family’s home before he had developed adult coping mechanisms. He was extremely bright but had no idea that his substance use disorder was a medical condition that came from the trauma he’d experienced. He had felt guilt and shame, as he had convinced himself that substance use meant he lacked willpower. His therapist used cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments to help Timothy reshape his negative core beliefs about himself. He would eventually accept himself as a person of worth.
After 45 days of inpatient treatment in Albuquerque, Timothy stepped down into outpatient care, started working a part-time job, and found a sober living home. He discovered that the world was where he could find safety instead of danger around every corner. With each small step he took, Timothy’s confidence grew. He eventually got clean and sober and found a full-time job. He knows how to identify situations that can trigger his addiction and has traded his old feelings and beliefs for positive friends and behaviors. His new and fulfilling life is worth that effort.
What Happens When You Always Have Negative Thoughts?
Holding negative core beliefs does more than hurt your mental and emotional well-being; indeed, it can lead to uncomfortable physical sensations and chronic illnesses:
Disrupts Brain Health
Negativity can create chronic stress by disrupting your natural hormonal balance. As a result, it deprives the brain of the chemicals it needs for happiness. That stress leads to a host of diseases and disorders.
Increases Heart Disease Risk
The chronic stress of negative core beliefs can cause high blood pressure and the production of deposits that clog the arteries. That means it can add to the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.
Acceleration of Cognitive Decline
Stress associated with negative thinking can trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response. When you activate flight or flight, the brain floods with stress hormones that damage the hippocampus and begin the process of cognitive decline.
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Our Worksheets Help You Challenge Negative Core Beliefs
It’s time for a different approach to thinking. Our worksheets can help you become more aware of your negative core beliefs about yourself and the world, allowing you to work on changing them in recovery.
These sheets and our other processing support worksheets can help you explore your thoughts without shame or fear. Be honest in your statements. Nobody will judge you. You can keep these to yourself or share them with a counselor or trusted person after you complete them. Your choice.
These worksheets are not a suitable replacement for a diagnosis and treatment by a mental health professional. If you currently work with a therapist, these sheets can offer them a good picture of your current feelings and beliefs.
Those who still need to find help building a new life in recovery can reach out to Icarus Behavioral Health New Mexico to request a free, confidential phone assessment.
Identify and Challenge Negative Core Beliefs
This exercise helps you shift from negative to positive feelings and beliefs, supporting your drug or alcohol recovery.
In the first worksheet, you will write a single statement about a negative core belief. Then, you will consider all facts that support or dispute those thoughts. After reflecting on the evidence, it’s time to rewrite the statement in a more positive light.
Example: Liam has used meth and other drugs for 3 years. He has damaged good relationships, even stealing cash from his grandmother (who had raised him) to fund his addiction. He’s filled with shame and self-hatred but has lost control over his drug use. Liam is in recovery now and is challenging his core beliefs:
- Liam writes a sentence about a core belief: “My grandmother hates me and has abandoned me because of my addiction to meth.”
- Liam lists facts to prove this: “My grandmother no longer invites me over to the house.”
- Liam lists facts to dispute the core belief: “My grandmother has set boundaries to protect herself. She stopped inviting me after I stole money from her wallet. She answers the phone when I call her but no longer gives me money. Grandma offered to help pay for rehab the last time we spoke.”
- Liam rewrites his sentence: “My grandmother has helped me pay for my recovery journey, showing she loves me.”
These statements increase self-efficacy and accountability. The difference is that Liam has now focused on the positive signs of his grandmother’s love instead of becoming bogged down in negative thoughts and beliefs about their relationship.
Rewriting the Story Worksheet
The Rewriting the Story exercise challenges you to tell a short story about your life – you can start with just a single paragraph. In the first section of the form, you’ll write a short story using only negative core beliefs.
As you complete the second section of the exercise, you’ll rewrite that story with a twist – you will only use positive and empowering words. Completing this form helps restore hope in the world by giving you a sense of the person you can be in recovery.
Example: Emmy struggles with Alcohol Use Disorder and has developed some harmful thoughts. Her family had to set boundaries because of her out-of-control behaviors. She feels all alone in her addiction and thinks her loved ones have turned their back on her, even though she has tried to quit.
- Emmy wrote this paragraph about the loneliness of her Alcohol Use Disorder: “I started drinking to cope with stress in my life. Since then, drinking has taken complete control of my life. I’m sick with tremors when I try to quit drinking. Every good person I know has left me and moved on. I’m alone and all my friends are alcoholics like me.”
- Emmy rewrites her narrative in the second step, replacing her current core beliefs with positive thoughts and feelings: I have a chronic disease called Alcohol Use Disorder. I have tried to quit before, but I’m confident I can do it this time; I have the support of a caring recovery center team. My family members are good people who have set boundaries with me. My aftercare plan includes making new friends and rebuilding family relationships as I reclaim my life.
The more hopeful feelings expressed in the second paragraph show a commitment to taking positive steps as Emmy moves forward. It reflects a better attitude about herself and confidence in her ability to form relationships.
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Connect with Icarus Today for a New Life in Recovery
Are you ready for a new life? If you plan to start over again, Icarus Behavioral Health in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can help. We are Joint Commission-accredited, which proves our commitment to using the most effective therapeutic practices in the mental health industry.
We are partners with the top health insurance companies and accept forms of the new Turquoise Care program, ensuring equitable access to behavioral health care for every individual who needs our services. Our insurance verification team will even help you leverage your benefits to ensure that you pay the smallest amount out of your own wallet. Their guidance has helped countless clients receive treatment with $0 out-of-pocket.
With our help, you can stop using your drug of choice and increase your self-esteem by changing your negative core beliefs. Our goal is always successful and long-term sobriety.
We’d love to learn your story and understand how we can help you get clean and sober. Call us confidentially today.
