People who have struggled with substance abuse often refer to themselves as addicts. Perhaps you identify yourself as an addict, or as “in recovery.” Does that ring true for you?

It may be true that addiction is something you have been through or continue to struggle with. But you are not just an addict. You are many things to many people!

You may be a parent, a sibling, a friend or mentor; an artist or an athlete; a dancer or a coder; a teacher or an HR professional; a dating coach, or a truck driver—do you consider yourself an addict above all these things?

It is interesting to note that people can have many major life experiences that do not take up their whole identity. People who have been in a major car accident may need to spend a chunk of time recovering, but they tend not to consider themselves accident victims for the rest of their lives.

Likewise, cancer survivors may never forget what they went through, but they don’t see themselves primarily as that. They move on to focus on parts of their lives that are positive and unlimited.

Here’s another great example: do we focus on the job interviews that didn’t go well and the jobs we didn’t get? No! We keep moving forward and searching for what we want, and then land ourselves in a different job that becomes a legitimate part of our identity. It would be silly to define ourselves based on the job we didn’t get!

Sure, substance abuse is a part of your identity. But for some people, it seems to take up their entire identity. What are the ramifications of such a perspective?

Don’t Limit Yourself to Recovery!

The odds are that you have a whole range of skills, strengths, and accomplishments. If you consider yourself an addict above all, you may be limiting your ability to break free from thoughts of addiction and old patterns.

You may find yourself socializing mostly, or even exclusively, with others who are in recovery, as if that’s the only group of people you can mingle with. Certainly, group support is a crucial element in recovering from addiction. Depending on where you are in the process, it may not need to be the only support you’re getting!

If you see yourself as an addict first and foremost, you may miss opportunities to tap into the potential within you that can take you beyond your past behavior and way of life. Ignoring your past may keep you from learning important lessons, but getting stuck in the past may keep you from taking those lessons and growing from them.

You don’t need to wait until one day you wake up and feel different! You can create your own new life and a new identity. You are unique not because of the shame and regret you carry, but because of the experiences you’ve had and the strengths you’ve developed and continue to develop from them.

Think about the other things that make you who you are. Find people with different histories and life stories—people who share your interests and your goals rather than just your past.

The Story of You

Dr. Joe Dispenza talks about how telling yourself the same story of your past over and over means you become your past. You never grow into the future.

Instead, try telling yourself a new story. Believe in a different future. Once people believe in themselves and their potential, they feel more empowered. Substance abuse can be one piece of the past and not what defines you. Stepping out of your past story opens doors for anything you can possibly imagine.

Try this: Make a new list of qualities that describe you. Find all the positive things that you have been forgetting. Are you an amazing planner? Do you sing? Are you a natural when it comes to playing piano? Do you cook like a chef? Are you an expert in civil war history? Are you an inspirational speaker? Are you an entrepreneur? Are you a talented artist?

Keep remembering that these define you as well. Substance abuse was something you did, but these positive traits might be who you are! Imagine and believe in yourself and a better future, and there is really nothing in your way to make it happen.

Our minds lead the way, so keep imagining and believing. The life you want is waiting for you!