Anyone who goes through a relapse will feel a deep sense of shame and failure about letting go of their sobriety. A public relapse can be even more embarrassing and shameful but it is a reality for many people, especially celebrities or public figures that suddenly get off the wagon. When people know that you have relapsed they might see it as a sign of weakness inability to stay committed.
Worrying what other people think about your relapse can be a natural reaction but it is important to focus on your own health first. The feelings of self-recrimination and shame can be overwhelming but you should not let it stop you from taking steps to get back on track. It can be helpful to realize that recovery is not always a straight path but can take some detours until you get a better handle on it.
People are often taught to be perfectionists or that they shouldn’t make mistakes when they are working toward their goals. Setbacks and accidents are a normal part of life especially with something so difficult as recovery. When you are dealing with a public relapse, keep those things in mind or even address them publicly if necessary so that people understand the nature of your journey to sobriety.
Shame and guilt can be destructive emotions so it is crucial to be able to forgive yourself for making a mistake in order to move on. Negative feelings can rob you of your motivation and make it hard to start over again because of a loss of self-belief and confidence. Letting go of your negative emotions can make it easier to focus on the work you need to do to get sober again.
A public relapse can be embarrassing but the most important thing is that you don’t waste time and get back into treatment as soon as possible.