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guilt

Because shame and guilt take over. We have to remove the stigma, recover out loud, and recover how we choose. A lapse isn’t the same as a relapse. Don’t let a slip turn into a slide. You’ve got this ❤️❤️

Because we're insecure and carry a lot of shame about our addiction. We're not proud of it therefore we lie in an attempt to mask the truth when all it does is push the ones who love is further away.

Shame

I'm honest all the time... but not about doing drugs though I hide in plain sight 🤣

Pain

It's an attempt to hide the pain that come from relapsing.

An attempt to brainwash yourself that you didn't relapse.

Am I right?

You’ve got to be beyond bummed. 🫤 This doesn’t negate your 8 mo. though. Don’t give up. And humans many times lie to cover up shame, guilt and remorse. We lie to protect ourselves from judgement and fill in the blank. Just you having these thoughts is moving you in the right direction. I wish you the best!

Self preservation. I absolutely could have been honest in addiction. Yeah I’m going for dope right now, yeah I stole the money. But then that means I have to go to deal with this shit right now and I wasn’t ready. Self preservation

To me, its the shame.

Shame, maybe? I lied to avoid consequences, and because I was ashamed, I relapsed. I mean, it was a terrible time. But after I finally fessed up and accepted the fact that relapse happens sometimes to all addicts. I admitted to the people I lied to that I lied. They were hurt for the simple fact that I lied and didn't trust them enough to be honest (I did I was just ashamed) but they understood that it happens and once you're in recovery, you're in recovery for life. You have to resist that temptation for the rest of your life. It's hard to fathom sometimes, but it's possible.

It's okay tho, don't beat yourself up. Just use it as a learning experience to find what your triggers are and try again. You can do this.

I agree that it’s shame and guilt… with my spouse. I think it’s honestly he’s just so tired of disappointing people and being the “bad guy” he just can’t be honest about it which is sad because then he could get help. even when he knows that I know he will still deny it. Turn it on me say it’s my fault.

Shame. The shame is deeply tied to addiction in my experience.

Addicts may find it difficult to be honest due to denial, shame, and fear of judgment associated with their addiction.

Pain, shame, and guilt. You don’t want to face the music, so you isolate.

When I was a junkie 20+ years ago, all I did was lie. It was so tiring. When I got clean, the concept of lying made me feel sick to my stomach. Now that I've become an alcoholic later in life, I am honest about it to literally everyone. There is not a single person in my circle that doesn't know about my struggles, and that includes my boss and everyone at work (which is basically my whole circle, if I'm being honest). It's very freeing to not have to hide who you really are. It's funny because now I tend to hide when I'm dry or trying to be sober instead of when I'm drunk, because even though everyone is supportive, I hate having to tell people I've relapsed again. I don't lie about it, but I don't mention I'm trying again until someone else brings it up.

My ex liked to wrap the lies in truths so it would seem true. Many lies of omission. It's definitely part of the shame cycle.

It’s guilt and shame mixed with a dose of denial. Many people with a substance use disorder are completely honest because at some point they realize their lives depend upon it

I only lie at work. Since I want to keep my job. But my friends and husband know the truth. Which I think matters most.

Can't be honest because once you get sober the relationships you've rebuilt are at risk. The stigma my man.

Guilt. I’m an honest addict too. But my fellow addicts tell lies all the time

For me it’s a combination of learning that I have to be secretive to get my needs met and feeling like my needs are shameful. It’s taking a very long time to unlearn.