A Way Out Addiction Treatment Center Newsletter #3 03/2013 | Page 17

18.Share honestly with others what you did. Don‘t share with those who might judge you. If appropriate, talk
about what happened in a 12-Step group. Secrecy prolongs guilt and shame.
Realize that you may forgive yourself and still believe you were at fault, just as you might forgive someone else
even though you think the person was in the wrong. You can have regret for what you did yet accept that you‘re
human and made mistakes. Perhaps, you did your best, given your circumstances, awareness, maturity, and
experience at the time. This is a healthy, humble attitude.
If you continue to have difficulties with self-forgiveness, it‘s helpful to see a counselor. You may be suffering from
shame, which predisposes you to self-loathing, guilt, and feeling bad about yourself. This can be healed in therapy.