You have a lot of say, you are not powerless

I believe there is a misconception surrounding powerlessness in the recovery community.  And here is what I mean:

When I was in active addiction, in the throws of my use of drugs and alcohol, yes, I was powerless.  I have proven to myself that drinking is not for me, it get's completely out control.  Same for me with marijuana, and, of course, heavy drugs. 

Now, here is where I depart from the powerless belief mantra. The second that I discontinued use and learned a different way of living, I was, and am, no longer powerless and I have a ton of choice.  I see people, even in long term recovery in this stuck state of mind believing that anything in their life that is tough, makes them powerless.   That's nonsense and needs to stop.

We have so much say over our lives it is amazing!  I CAN make effective change in all areas of my life when I make a decision to face things head on.   Not by saying "well, I am powerless, I will just let it go, or turn it over to god". No, no, no. I know this much about a belief in God and the bible and all that religion speaks about in this regard.  There is a great story that says god gives us things on earth to help us.  If we choose to ignore those tools that are available to use than we are choosing to ignore God.    This, coming from me, not a religious person at all.  Thus, if you are into religion or spirituality, then you can not use your belief that you are powerless, therefore, not addressing areas of your life that are tough, simply because of that.

What I think it is really about is the tough decision that we have to make.....facing things head on.  Changing our behavior.  Learning new skills.  Being willing to start a new.   These can all be frightening. I had to face, head on, the trauma from my past in order for me to be able to let it go and move forward. That took counseling, it took being willing to write about it, it took being willing to look at in a whole new light.  It was hard, but, 100% worth it. I am a forward thinking person now because of the healing I have had in regard to my past.  I used to stay stuck there, even as a person in long term recovery.  I felt......powerless over it. Once I realized I DID have a say and that I COULD learn how to heal and move on, I realized how much power I do have over my life.

I teach people in early recovery to get busy now.  Don't wait.  Get busy now in all areas of their lives to improve their lives for the future.   Don't wait to seek counseling to heal trauma from the past.  Don't wait to get a job, get job training, or go to school for a career they want to get into.   Learn skills to change negative behaviors that don't serve them well.   I say, get busy in ALL areas their lives.  Do not just focus on one area. 

I teach them to have a strong support system surrounding them from a wide swath of people.   A person from the recovery community, someone who can mentor them for a career path, a family member, someone in the community who volunteers in an area they have an interest.   I don't advise them to only stay in one circle of people, no matter the group.  I ask them to get involved in the community they live in all ways. 

I have a choice in my life today that I never had when I was in active addiction, that's a fact.    But the second I entered a life in recovery, I had a ton of choice in how my life looked moving forward.    I am not powerless. 


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