Strong emotions like anger, fear, and resentment can be tricky to handle. On the one hand, it’s essential to express these emotions healthily. On the other hand, it’s also important not to let them take over your life. So how can you find a balance? Mental health treatment can be a great place to learn the skills to manage emotions, like resentment.
At Northpoint Seattle, we know the importance of supportive mental health treatment to help work through resentment. Many patients who walk through our doors struggle with complex emotions and addiction. Our medical professionals and recovery specialists help them process their emotions to lead happier, healthier lives. Call 888.483.6031 today to get started.
What Is Resentment?
Resentment is the feeling of anger, bitterness, or hostility that arises when you feel wronged or mistreated. Often, resentment is directed towards someone who has caused you pain in the past, such as a family member, friend, or co-worker. However, it can also be directed towards yourself. Resentment can be a normal and healthy emotion when it is temporary and leads to positive action, such as communicating your needs to the person who hurt you. However, when resentment is longstanding and feels overwhelming, it can lead to problems in your relationships and negatively impact your mental and physical health.
The Role of Resentment in Addiction
Resentment is a common emotion among people struggling with addiction. In fact, resentment is often a significant factor in relapse. One study found that 71% of participants who relapsed reported feeling resentful in the week leading up to their relapse.
There are several reasons why resentment is so common among people struggling with addiction. Addiction often damages our relationships with the people closest to us. This damage can lead to feelings of betrayal, anger, and hurt. Addiction can also make it challenging to meet our needs in other areas of life, such as work or school. Many people struggling with addiction also have a history of trauma, which can lead to feelings of resentment.
While resentment is a common emotion among people struggling with addiction, it’s important to remember that it is not an excuse for relapse. Resentment can be a difficult emotion to deal with, but there are ways to work through it without turning to drugs or alcohol.
15 Ways to Work Through Resentment
- Acknowledge the feeling.
- Determine the source of the resentment.
- Examine your role in the situation.
- Communicate your feelings to the person involved.
- Forgive yourself.
- Forgive the other person.
- Let go of anger and bitterness.
- Move on.
- Spend time with positive people.
- Avoid venting to others.
- Don’t hold on to grudges.
- Practice gratitude.
- Seek professional help if needed.
- Try to see the situation from the other person’s perspective.
- Focus on the present and future.
Therapies to Process Resentment in Addiction Treatment
Mental health treatment can be a great place to learn how to process and manage emotions like resentment. At Northpoint Seattle, we offer a variety of therapies that can help you work through your resentment, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – CBT can help you identify negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your addiction and replace them with more positive ones.
- Dialectical-behavioral therapy – DBT helps you develop skills to deal with difficult emotions, such as resentment, without turning to drugs or alcohol.
- Trauma-informed care – This type of therapy can help you process and heal from past trauma, which may be contributing to your feelings of resentment.
If you’re struggling with addiction and resentment, we can help. Call us today at 888.483.6031 to learn more about our programs and how we can help you on your journey to recovery.