When clients with a substance use disorder learn to invest in themselves, they walk along the path to a lifetime worth of dividends. In addition, the act of investing in themselves can increase confidence, belief in their intuition, creativity, and engage in personal or professional development.
A common mistake many clients make is not taking the time to recognize their value. After giving up alcohol or drugs, they may wonder how they can move forward in life without the assistance of those substances. Of course, they can, and a part of moving forward involves learning how to take time for themselves. This essential part of recovery is taught in addiction treatment and support groups. You can guide them to realizing their potential through a few steps.
Why Is Investing Vital?
When people invest in themselves before investing in others, they learn an essential lesson: giving to themselves allows them to give to others. For some, they must realize that taking time to explore their interests or their inner selves means putting themselves first. Placing themselves first is a way of growing; it’s not selfish. The emphasis on taking care of themselves is an act of self-love.
9 Steps to Invest in Oneself
When your client emphasizes their well-being, they build a message of having value and potential. The time taken for themselves is crucial, and the act of investing signals they believe they are worth the time, energy, and creativity to grow and learn.
The following nine steps can help your client invest in themselves:
#1: Assess and Define Goals
The act of setting goals means your client is committing to their personal or professional life. Think of goals as GPS; most people wouldn’t travel to an unknown place without putting the address in their GPS. Why would they try to reach a goal without a plan? A plan provides a path to follow.
#2. Listen to Intuition
Most people have a gut instinct about people, places, or things. Teach your client how to listen to what their intuition is saying to them. Carl Jung introduced the idea that intuition is a component of a person’s personality. While you are aware of Jung’s theory, many patients are not. During an individual therapy session, you can introduce the topic and delve into why listening to their gut is essential to investing in themselves. Perhaps their intuition is based on a feeling or a memory of the past. Guide your client in discovering why they feel a certain way and how to process it into a decision.
#3. Be Creative
Sometimes clients may fear they will lose their creativity if they become sober. Other clients may think they aren’t creative. Creativity is something that needs nurturing at a certain point in life. Sometimes people don’t find their creative side until they are older. A part of therapy can emphasize how creativity can expand their appreciation of their abilities while also becoming a healthy way of expressing emotions. Show your clients how to harness the power of creativity by having fun, letting go, and allowing creativity to be a permanent part of their life.
#4. Invest in Self-confidence
Some people lack self-confidence. Learning how to be confident in life can take time and effort. However, once a client understands their value they possess the ability to show others their value. Teaching your client how to speak with confidence, love themself, or finding their passion
#5. Continue to Learn
A person who invests in themselves never stops learning. Encourage your client to read books, articles, or peer-reviewed material to keep their knowledge updated. Another way to stay on top of the latest findings or practices is to take classes. Your client can sign up for a class, seminar, or workshop focused on the topic of their choosing. Discuss interests your client has and help them find groups or people who can nurture their curiosity. A lifelong commitment to learning can inspire and be a catalyst for their creativity.
#6. Nurture Their Well-being
Everyone should take care of themselves. While your client is in treatment, work with them and instill the importance of healthy eating, exercise, social activities, and activities that bring happiness. Well-being is more than a concept; it is a way of healing the body and brain.
#7. Choose Positivity
Help your client retrain their way of looking at events and situations. The urge to think negative thoughts when things go wrong is natural; however, your client can retrain how they look at a troublesome situation through healthy coping skills. For example, instead of thinking that they are at fault or something always goes wrong when they are around, guide them to learn how to find a positive aspect of any situation.
#8. Make a Bucket List
Bucket lists can seem cheesy to some, but they are a way of creating and finding goals. First, ask your client what they want to do, see, experience, or feel during their life. Then, work with them to write 20 of those wishes down and brainstorm ways they can begin to achieve those wishes. Also, let them know that bucket lists are ongoing. They can add or subtract a desire whenever they want. Each month talk about their list and ask if anything has changed or if they’re going to add items.
#9. Continue Therapy
Recovery is about putting healthy habits into a client’s daily life. When they continue with individual or group therapy, they have people who want to see them succeed. Your role in their recovery is to guide them and assist them when they need help. You can encourage them to find their passion, creativity, bucket list, or inspiration. You are there to support their growth.
Through group or individual therapy, your client can learn the investment steps and reap the benefits throughout their life.
Substance addiction treatment is an opportunity for a client to learn and grow. Throughout the process, your client discovers how to believe in themselves, build self-confidence, and trust in themselves. The power of investing in themselves spreads to every aspect of their life. When a person invests in their life, they invest in their well-being. An investment in goal setting, activities that encourage them to love themself, find their passion, and express their creativity is the GPS to a person’s life. Without a sense of being, self-confidence, or the willingness to explore and experience new things, your client can stunt their opportunity to move forward. Alta Centers believes every person holds the power to invest in themselves. We begin the healing process through our detox program. The lessons they learn during their stay can carry over to individual or group therapy sessions. We welcome you to inquire about our services. Call us at (888) 202-2583.
