Never Alone Recovery founder Austin Wynn was recently interviewed by The Epoch Times for an article about Ingrid Andress performing the national anthem while under the influence of alcohol during the Home Run Derby at the MLB All-Star Week.

During this interview, he stressed the role that self-sabotage often plays in addiction, and how what is currently going on with Ingrid Andress is behavior that is commonly seen in those who have yet to seek help.

Austin believes this is so often the case because, speaking from his own experience as someone in recovery who has found success building a knew life, said, “We always believe we’re more sober than we actually are.”   

Further, the Ingrid Andress story shows what eventually happens to most suffering from what is commonly referred to as functional alcoholism, but it simultaneously provides an opportunity to increase awareness and reduce stigmatization of substance use disorder (SUD) so that more people can get the help they need.

In today’s article, we will be going beyond what was said in the article and taking a deep dive into how addiction can lead to self-sabotage. We will also be touching on a few tangible actions and steps that you can take today if you find yourself falling victim to self-sabotage due to your addiction.

Unpacking the Complexity of Self-Sabotage

For many who have never experienced the hardships of self-sabotage, it can be a confusing or even counter-intuitive sounding concept to understand. In the simplest of terms, self-sabotage is a set of behaviors or habits that actively work against and prevent an individual from achieving their goals, maintaining positive, healthy relationships, and living life to their full potential.

A few of the most common self-sabotaging behaviors include lashing out at others and procrastination, but the individual behaviors will vary from person to person. This often leads to loved ones cutting you off or limiting contact. Austin describes this as a “harsh reality of substance abuse” that one must accept in order to fully embrace recovery and begin making amends.

Common Causes of Self-Sabotage

There is no one singular cause of self-sabotage. Instead, there is a shared profile and a few common triggers. Unfortunately, this shared profile (low self-esteem, past traumas, avoidance of failures, etc.) is similar to that of an individual suffering from substance use disorder. This has led to many individuals suffering from both simultaneously. 

Excessive drinking or substance abuse have both been shown to lead to the onset of self-sabotaging behaviors such as negative self-talk and downward mental spiraling, and heavily increase their negative impacts on your daily life.

What Happens When Your Addiction Leads to Self-Sabotage?

It is not at all uncommon for addiction to lead to self-sabotage. A few of the most common signs that you are self-sabotaging include increased procrastination, negative self-talk, and a lower inner self-concept among others.

If you find that any of these may apply to you, it is critical that you seek out professional mental health services. The sooner you do this, the faster you will be able to get on the road to recovery.

Be Honest With Yourself and Those Around You

It can be difficult admitting that you have a problem, but it is the only way that you can ever begin to get better and live the healthy, well-balanced life you deserve. Denial and delusion are very common in those suffering from substance use disorder and are two of the largest roadblocks toward achieving and sustaining sobriety.

One proven method that can be used  is to start small and reflect honestly about your life and the actions you are taking on a daily basis. This does not have to be something that you tell people about or do publicly at first. It’s perfectly okay to keep these thoughts private, as long as you are having them.

If and when you reach the point where you feel as if you are ready to share your reflections with loved ones, you absolutely should. It can be very helpful to do so and help repair any of the interpersonal damage you may have done to those relationships in the past.

Actively Seek Help for Your Addiction

While this is commonly given advice, it is for good reason. It works. Reaching out to healthcare providers specializing in substance use disorder to help you create a realistic, evidence-based sobriety plan is one of the most effective actions you can take when trying to get your life back on track.

For many, this means taking in a 12-step program or similar method. Some people are turned off from these programs due to the inclusion of God or having faith in some other sort of higher power, but our founder Austin Wynn stresses that God can have as big or as little of a role in recovery as each individual allows. Everyone is different. 

There is no one specific way that this recovery plan must look. All that matters is that it works for you and serves your individual goals. At the end of the day, it does not matter how you achieve long-lasting sobriety, just that you do. Find what works well for you and commit to it every day.

Never Alone Recovery Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, please do not hesitate to give us a call today at 844-365-4445 for a free consultation to see how we can help you begin your journey toward a healthier future.

Never Alone Recovery has a team of dedicated, full-time addiction recovery consultants on staff who work around the clock to provide free drug rehab placement services for those in need.

The mission of the Never Alone program is to offer support and unyielding compassion to those suffering from mental health issues and substance use disorder, as well as their loved ones.

In addition to this article, we have an extensive library of online resources and a 100% free online support group that meets weekly. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, always remember that you’re never alone.