Shame is an intense, painful, and often paralyzing emotion rooted in self-criticism and feelings of inadequacy. It shares a complex, mutually reinforcing relationship with addiction: shame can both trigger addictive behaviors and perpetuate them. People often turn to psychoactive substances or mood-altering behaviors to numb or escape the overwhelming discomfort of shame.
The more deeply entrenched a person is in feelings of chronic shame, the more likely they are to seek relief through addictive behaviors, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.