Why do addicts feel a guilt after indulgence?

[venu (Dr 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?

[Jackie (Jacqueline)]

After taking Alcohol or any drugs or addict you become relaxed, confident because it affects part of your brain. But it quickly change after in negative emotions. You feel miserable.

[NishaRani (Dr Nisha Rani Sharma)]

@venu

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?

Dear Venu Beta,

Psychological dynamics behind guilt in addiction reveals how complex the experience is. These are beautiful, simple minded people who do not need to suffer. In order to heal, they need some compassion, care and understanding, not hatred and judgmental knocks.

A. Shame and Guilt in Addiction :

1. “Shame” lies at the heart of addiction-related guilt. Shame is a powerful emotion that makes the person feel fundamentally flawed or unworthy. When someone struggles with the disease, he/she may feel a deep shame about the behaviour, inability to control it and or the ripple impact it has on them, their loved ones and others.

2. “Guilt”: This is more specific. It arises from feeling responsible for a particular action or outcome. In addiction, guilt often stems from harmful behaviours associated with substance use like lying, neglecting responsibilities, hurting loved ones, or violating personal values.

There is self blame, loss of control, impact on others, This is a multi-faceted struggle with guilt woven into its fabric.

[venu (Dr Venu)]

Thank you Ma, this was very helpful. So basically it’s an anger they feel at themselves for having indulged.

Thanks @kobrakulsh for your taking the time to clarify here.

blessed @kobrakulsh 's response to this got posted separately here.

[NishaRani (Dr Nisha Rani Sharma)]

They feel angry with themselves for not being able to stop! Loss of power in ones own life and feeling shame to admit it.

[kobrakulsh (Supritee Kulshreshtha)]

Thank you Dr. Venu for all the blessings and being our Master n Guru…m truely grateful to the divine energy that flows to all of us through you…thank you again