A group of Atlanta women fighting homelessness and drug dependence received a free day of beauty with the goal of helping them to “get a head start on their futures,” according to CBS Atlanta.

How does getting a makeover affect the ability of a woman to get back on track after a drug addiction so debilitating that it caused her to lose her home? Some say it doesn’t. Others are adamant that appearance can be a huge part of recovery, especially for women.

Increased Self-Confidence Improves Ability to Avoid Relapse

Though it’s not a direct effect, many feel that if a patient in recovery improves her appearance, she feels stronger and better able to manage conflict as well as prioritize her sobriety when faced with the temptation to get high or drunk. Improved self-confidence also increases the chances that she will present herself well when applying for a job and looking for a place to live, and accomplishing these goals can further increase her confidence in her ability to make positive choices and rebuild a life in sobriety.

Too Much Focus on Appearance Decreases Focus on Spiritual, Emotional Healing

Others say that a focus on something as shallow as appearance can reduce the focus on health and recovery. If a patient’s self-confidence is based solely on her appearance, then an accident, illness or changes to her appearance can undermine her ability to avoid relapse. Additionally, if she values herself only for her appearance then she will seek out relationships with others based on their valuation of her appearance rather than what she has to offer as a friend, employee or partner – an issue that will only cause more problems down the road.

The Search for Balance

Valuing oneself enough to care for hygiene and make oneself “presentable” on a daily basis is important. It’s a sign that one values himself, and it can help patients in recovery to start the day on the right foot. Getting up, getting dressed and dressing appropriately for the activities of the day can help improve the mental mindset of the patient.

However, it is also true that overemphasis of appearance can be damaging. Spending too much time focusing on one’s appearance can lead to self-absorption rather than self-confidence, and many who succeed in recovery do so because they value their ability to be helpful to others and “get out of their own head” long enough to find a balance between serving their own needs and helping others to be successful as well.

The solution? A happy medium. The search for balance is one that is ongoing in recovery and perhaps it starts for some with investing the right amount of time and effort in appearance.

What does your loved one need to be successful in recovery? Contact us today at Axis to find out more about our individualized treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction.