Addiction is painful. Recovery is difficult. But the journey has taught me a few things.
It taught me humility
Walking towards the front door of a recovery meeting for the first time was terrifying. My thoughts raced and emotions raged.
I overcame my terror by admitting to myself that I was broken and that I needed help. I overcame my terror by humbling myself enough to seek help.
This was my first step towards recovery.
“We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.”
It taught me to share
Despite a deep sense of shame, I began sharing openly about my struggles. Much to my surprise, people did not run. They did not ridicule, reject or judge. They simply offered their support.
“We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
It taught me to seek wisdom
There are things in this world that I can change and things that I cannot.
The Serenity Prayer has taught me to differentiate between the two and appropriately apply either courage or acceptance.
“God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Image from the Alano Club of Kent County’s facebook site (November 21, 2019)
Aaron Sorrels, The Unemployed Alcoholic
Contact me if you want to talk recovery.