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The 12th Step PodcastAuthor: 12th Step Podcast
Our commitment is to help others recover from sexual addiction, just as we have been helped. We are recovering addicts offering a message of hope to anyone who suffers from sex addiction. If you have any questions or topic suggestions contact us at 12thStepPodcast@Gmail.com Language: en Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Shame After the Slip: Breaking the Spiral of Self-Loathing in Recovery
Episode 188
Friday, 20 February, 2026
In this heartfelt episode, we respond to a listener, Scott, who bravely shares about the crushing shame, low self-worth, depression, and anxiety that often follow acting out. Even while working a solid program and taking responsibility, he finds himself stuck in emotional fallout that feels harder to escape than the behavior itself. How do we tell the difference between healthy accountability and toxic shame? When does remorse help us grow and when does it quietly fuel the next relapse? What happens in the nervous system after acting out, and why can it feel so overwhelming? Most importantly, how do we rebuild self-worth when our actions don’t align with our values? We explore practical tools for interrupting the shame spiral, grounding anxiety, and responding to relapse with rigor and compassion. This conversation dives into the spiritual and psychological dimensions of recovery and reminds us that shame thrives in isolation, but healing happens in connection. If you’ve ever felt like the aftermath of acting out was more painful than the behavior itself, this episode is for you. There is a way forward and it doesn’t require hating yourself to get there.
