Self-Compassion = Self-Care = Self-Support

​Self-compassion is a cornerstone in the journey of family recovery. Substance Use Disorder often brings with it feelings of guilt, blame, and self-criticism, both for the individual struggling with addiction and their loved ones. Embracing self-compassion means recognizing one's own suffering, extending kindness to oneself, and understanding that imperfection is a shared human experience.

​For families, practicing self-compassion can alleviate the weight of past mistakes and pave the way for healing. It promotes patience, understanding, and resilience, allowing family members to support each other without judgment. In essence, self-compassion provides a nurturing foundation from which families can rebuild trust, foster mutual support, and navigate the challenges of recovery with grace and empathy.

With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we'd give to a good friend.

Kristin Neff, Ph.D. is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, being the first one to operationally define and measure the construct over a decade ago. In addition to her pioneering research into self-compassion, she has developed an eight-week program to teach self-compassion skills in daily life, co-created with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, called Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). Her book, Self-Compassion, was published by William Morrow in April, 2011.