| Overcoming addiction is no easy task. In fact, it can | | | | original thinking. Find what works for you in recovery |
| be downright overwhelming at first. | | | | and apply it. Repeating cliches like a robot in 12 step |
| It would be helpful if someone sat you down in early | | | | meetings does not keep someone clean. |
| recovery and explained the truth to you. The truth | | | | 4) Abstinence is the baseline; true recovery is in |
| about what? About everything. There is so much | | | | creation - what the heck does that mean? It means |
| information flying at you in early recovery that it can | | | | that quitting the drugs and the booze is just a start, |
| be difficult to keep up. We have to sort out what is | | | | and the real path to long term recovery comes from |
| truly helpful for us versus what is just helpful | | | | creating a new life for yourself. Recovery is about |
| suggestions that do not really apply to our situation. | | | | action. Living is about doing stuff. If all you do is give |
| This can be overwhelming. | | | | up the drugs, you're going to be in for a struggle. |
| So I've attempted to separate the wheat from the | | | | 5) Spiritual growth is not the solution - holistic growth |
| chaff here and attempted to point out what the | | | | is the solution. Holistic meaning "your whole self" - |
| truly helpful information is. Here are some of the | | | | physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social. Our |
| truths I've learned about addiction and recovery: | | | | addiction affected every part of our being so why |
| 1) Everyone underestimates the task of staying clean | | | | would the solution just be spiritual? It's not. The |
| at first - so be aware that nearly everyone who tries | | | | solution is bigger than that. Therefore the optimal |
| to get clean has to try at least a few times before | | | | approach to a successful recovery is a holistic one in |
| they even make it to 30 days clean. The task at | | | | which you push yourself to grow in several areas of |
| hand is monumental and nearly everyone | | | | your life. |
| underestimates it. | | | | 6) Quitting drugs and alcohol is not elimination, but |
| This is because of conditioning. When we approach | | | | instead is a structural change - This is especially true |
| other tasks in life we expect that a modest effort | | | | if you are young. What we want is not to simply |
| will produce modest results. With recovery this is not | | | | eliminate the drugs and alcohol from our lives, but |
| true. A modest effort will ensure relapse. You have | | | | instead to make sweeping structural changes. Why? |
| to swing for the fences. | | | | Because that is what it will take to make the |
| 2) Networking becomes less effective over time - in | | | | changes really stick. Structural change means big |
| the beginning, having support is great. It's all about | | | | changes, from the people we hang out with every |
| helping each other to stay clean, right? What they | | | | day to how we spend our free time and possibly |
| never tell you is that this will only carry you so far in | | | | even what job we work at. They have a saying in |
| recovery - then you have to start creating a new life | | | | traditional recovery: "The only thing you have to |
| for yourself. The extent to which you depend on | | | | change is everything." They are talking about big |
| others for your recovery is the extent to which you | | | | structural changes that impact your entire life. If you |
| are vulnerable to relapse. | | | | are young and have heavy peer influence then how |
| 3) All the sayings and slogans are wrong or at least | | | | can you expect to remain clean without getting new |
| misguided - "meeting makers make it"....oh really? | | | | friends? You can't. Plain and simple. That is why |
| Then why do so many keep showing up and getting | | | | structural change is so important. |
| their one day tag over and over again? Some of the | | | | So there you have it. Those are some of the |
| sayings might be helpful for you at times but beware | | | | universal truths that I had to learn the hard way in |
| that they are edging out your ability to have some | | | | recovery. Hopefully they can benefit you too. |