(2/13/2013)

Shame About Past Alcoholism Predicts Relapse and Declining Health in Recovering Alcoholics
Science Daily
February 4, 2013

Feeling shame about past instances of problem drinking may increase the likelihood of relapse and other health problems, according to a new study in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. People who feel shame may blame themselves for negative events and view their "bad" behavior as an unchangeable part of who they are. Thus, shame may actually be a risk factor for certain behaviors rather than a deterrent. But this doesn't seem to be the case for guilt. "One reason that certain sobriety programs may be effective," the researchers say, "is because they encourage people to see their behaviors as something they should feel guilty, but not necessarily shameful, about."

View the full article here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130204114246.htm

Keywords: shame, past, alcoholism, predict, relapse, health, recovery