Guilt after indulgence in addictive behaviors can be complex and multifaceted…
Addicts may hold conflicting beliefs or values… the dissonance of holding contradictory thoughts may lead to feelings of guilt as they struggle with the discrepancy between their actions and their values…
When an addictive behavior conflicts with these moral standards, it creates a sense of guilt. They may feel they have violated their own ethical codes or let themselves or others down…also after indulging, they might feel guilty about the emotional pain or disappointments they have caused others, reinforcing feelings of remorse…
They may also view themselves negatively due to their inability to control their behavior. This self-criticism can intensify feelings of guilt…
Addiction may lead to missed opportunities in personal, professional, or social aspects of life. Guilt can stem from recognizing the ways addiction has hindered their potential or caused them to miss out on important life events.
And then this perpetuate the cycle of addiction. Feeling guilty might lead to emotional distress, which some individuals try to alleviate through further indulgence in their addiction, leading to a repeating cycle of guilt and indulgence…
Addressing these feelings often involves therapy, self-reflection, and support from others, which can help individuals understand and manage their guilt and work towards recovery.[quote=“Dr Venu, post:1, topic:2117, full:true, username:venu”] @NishaRani Ma,
Jai Sri Krishna
Please spare a few minutes of your time to help me understand this as you’d be the best person to answer, on psychologically why do alcoholics or for that matter any of the addicts feel a guilt after having indulged in experiencing the substance?
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@kobrakulsh Addicts feel guilty after using because they know their actions go against their values. They feel bad for hurting themselves or others and for losing control, which often makes them use again to escape the guilt.
@kobrakulsh Addicts do feel guilty after breaking the promise to themselves for giving in for momentarily pleasures. It’s like a loop, they feel guilty but give in anyway then feel more guilty for breaking the promise and letting others and themselves down. It’s like a constant struggle. Deep down they fear that they are not enough and judgement from others. This emotional pain creates the loop and often fuels the cycle further. So tragic and needs to be treated with professional help and support.
So beautifully and compassionately expressed, Harmeet.
What you’ve described is not weakness it’s wounded humanity. I believe addiction is rarely about pleasure… it’s about escaping a pain that feels unbearable in that moment. The guilt, the broken promises, the self-judgment… they quietly erode the sense of worth until the person starts believing “I am the problem.”
You’re right saying that at the core is the fear of not being enough and the terror of being seen and judged. And when that emotional pain remains unheld, the cycle feeds itself again and again.
What addicts truly need is not condemnation, but safety, understanding, and skilled support, a space where shame can soften and the nervous system can finally rest. Healing begins the moment someone feels seen without being judged.
Thank you for naming this struggle with such empathy. Words like yours open doors where silence once lived.
