The first step to addiction recovery

We all know an addict who refuses to admit they have a problem. This is not an attempt to shame those individuals who partake in their addiction without regret, but instead to highlight that addictions have a way of blinding us to things that others see clearly. Many addicts spend years living in this state until they have a come-to-Jesus moment and realize that something in their life had to change. They accept they have a problem, and resolve to do something in order to fix it.

This isn’t exclusive to 12-step recovery, either. Any form of effective addiction recovery treatment requires that the individual have accepted that they are an addict willing to seek help in order to recover. This includes Recovery Dharma, SMART recovery, as well as in-patient and outpatient programs. If an individual is made to go to these meetings due to some authority figure, it is much less likely they will find success in the program compared to if they attend due to their own volition. It’s possible, just unlikely.

Many who find themselves in recovery rooms outside of their own free will often repeat stories such as “this isn’t for me”, “this is boring”, or “I’m not like these people”. The good thing is that even if someone struggling with addiction visits these rooms and then stops attending, their always welcome back later (barring some particularly egregious behavior). There’s a program for everyone, it’s all about finding it. But before someone can begin searching for a program that fits their proclivities, at least a part of themselves must first admit that they need help in order to recover.

Acceptance as a blessing in disguise

While in active addiction, it can be scary to admit we have a problem with our drug of choice. Often, we made our habit into our safe space where we felt like we had a semblance of control. We didn’t realize that our addictive habit was actually what was robbing us of our God-given autonomy to connect with our communities and serve the Lord’s Will in a co-creative capacity.

At first, acceptance seems like an admission of defeat. That we’ve somehow lost a part of ourselves, with the fear that we’ll never get it back. But pressure makes diamonds, and there are various examples of those who were in the throws of addiction who recovered and became honorable members of society. It won’t happen over night ; they say most breakout successes take at least ten years in the background before the person in question sees the fruit of their labor. But it can happen, if you’re diligent and responsible.

Reaffirming our acceptance

For those who have been in recovery for a while, it can be a healthy practice to occasionally (or even regularly) reaffirm our acceptance in order to remind us that we may be susceptible to relapse if we don’t follow sound principals. This can be as simple as saying “I’m a grateful recovering addict” or “I’m thankful I’m in recovery”. The author’s lowest point was due to a combination of alcohol and marijuana addiction, but has problems with many substances beside those two, so prefers to identify as a recovering addict instead of a recovering alcoholic. Whatever works for you specifically.

These reaffirmations can be said during meetings, amongst loved ones, or to a spiritual advisor. However, there’s something to be said about making these admissions during your quiet time in prayer and meditation. It’s during these moments we’re typically most vulnerable and malleable. Being thankful for how far you’ve come while acknowledging that there’s maintenance required to continue along your journey can be a cathartic experience. When it’s just you and your conception of spiritual Truth to guide you is when you can realize some of your most profound epiphanies.

Sometimes, we can be bogged down by our expectations and unrealized desires. Stop and smell the roses. It’s about the journey, not necessarily the destination. The previous version of you wanted many if not all of the things you’ve currently realized, so take some time to acknowledge the road you’ve traveled and be thankful for the little things. A great way to do this is by “going back to the basics” and remembering the frame of mind that ultimately helped you break free from your addiction(s).

Conclusion

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. In addiction recovery, many have found that this first step is to accept the circumstances that you’re currently in. From there, you can determine how to reach out for help and create a plan for your process of breaking free from your addictions.

This may be a good post to bookmark or otherwise save as it’s a good refresher for each new addiction you face as well as providing a brief overview of a tool for maintaining your sobriety once it’s achieved. If you found this information useful or engaging, please consider signing up for the faithworks newsletter here.

I pray the Higher Power may guide your steps, keeping you and your loved ones safe. Until next time!