I have heard it said that to recover from an addiction, you need some intangible qualities. Among them are honesty, willingness, and an open-mind. These qualities may not come easily. They may only develop after you take some actions that you do not yet believe in, such as attending 12 step or other support meetings, listening to people you may once have shrugged off, or trying to practice a new set of principles. All these things usually are contrary to the nature of most alcoholics and addicts. Yet, I believe it is through action that you can also bring about a change in your outlook.
To recognize that you have a problem, you need to first be honest with yourself about your problem. Self-delusion is a roadblock that many addicts and alcoholics will stumble over. It prevents you from taking a good, reasonable look at your life and your circumstances. To remain self-deluded is to fool yourself into thinking you are perfectly fine, when in reality you are far from it. In so many instances, you are the last person who realizes you have a problem with substance abuse, and it is all too plain to see for everyone in your life. Getting honest with yourself about your using will allow you to begin to take steps toward recovery of your mind and body.
The open-mind then becomes a key trait. As you have become honest with yourself, you can then allow new ideas to filter in. Much like water flowing through a charcoal filter, it gets purified and the contaminants get removed. You are then able to grasp and see concepts that once would have been impossible. This all happens as your mind and body recover from your addiction. It takes time, and it is not easy, but it is attainable with effort.
Lastly, is willingness: for the alcoholic or addict, no real progress can be made in recovery until they are willing to change their behaviors and attitudes. Consistent sobriety may be hard or impossible to achieve without some degree of willingness. By being willing to take different actions and accept other viewpoints, you can then develop more honesty and a more open mind and thus grow as a person.
BIO:
Andy is a blogger for Step One Rehab. Through his writing, he attempts to raise awareness about addiction, substance abuse, and mental health issues. The goal of Step One Rehab is to match premium addiction treatment facilities with the needs of clients. Andy writes daily articles for Step One’s blog. To learn more, visit their website or check them out on Facebook, or Twitter.
You know when you are an alcoholic when:
– you start creating your own Wall of Shame bars you avoid because the waiters know you by name and exactly what you are going to order
– you constantly think when served ‘ugh…this guy/girl must think I am such an alcoholic!’ When you order booze with Lunch or in the early afternoon–Moreso if you are dressed up for work!
– you have downloaded at least 8 kindle books on alcoholism related topics
– you find yourself saying to non-drinkers ‘good for you…don’t ever start!’
– you truly find yourself wishing you could have that control others have…the switch in the brain that says ‘I’m satisfied with one or two and I’m good’
– you have had more than DUI. i mean seriously having been through one, -why would any ‘normal’ drinker put themselves in a position to get a second conviction??
– you don’t tolerate booze like before…ok so yes your tolerance is up, , but you find yourself getting moody, depressed, extra sleepy after your ‘fix’ instead of raring to go
– you scope out the local pubs for people you might know, because you are going there to drink alone … worse yet, on work time
Just my observations and I suspect I will hear much of the same when I attend my first AA meeting. I truly can’t wait.
love it! Thanks Alice. Great You might be an alcoholic if lines!