Effort

07.12.2023 – Effort In my reflection tonight, I am struck by the amount of work and effort required to keep from drowning in the sea of addiction. I left Northpoint in July of 2021 and was welcomed by a group of friends that I will be connected to forever. We had a regular scheduled meeting earlier tonight. It may just be me, but these last few months have seemed to create significant hardship and challenges for many of my friends in the tribe. I began to think about my own recovery and what is required to keep me on the path. The trap for me is looking back and using what happened to define what will happen. There have been times in my recovery journey that I put in a ton of effort and other times when I did not put in enough effort. One thing is for sure, the results I see in myself and in others around me are directly linked to the amount of effort and work put in. For me, recovery demands a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of my disease. It is a journey that necessitates hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to pursuing positive change. One crucial aspect of recovery is personal effort. It begins with recognizing the presence of addiction, acknowledging its harmful effects, and committing to take action to create a better lifestyle. This required me to actively engage in treatment programs, participate in therapy sessions, and seek support from groups or networks specifically designed to help me with my disease. By being honest, consistently investing effort and making the conscious choice to not drink, I took the first steps towards my own recovery. For me, recovery also involved addressing the underlying factors contributing to my drinking. This involved examining past traumas, managing my mental health condition, and developing healthier coping mechanisms. It required me to put in the effort to identify triggers, learn new ways to manage stress and emotions, and work a program that fosters positive change. By actively working on personal growth and self-improvement, I broke free from the disease that wants to take everything from me. I strive to create the best version of me. Recovery also entails rebuilding various aspects of our lives. For me, this included changing my environment, restoring relationships, rebuilding trust, and developing a sense of purpose and fulfillment outside of substance use. For some of my friends and family, it involved finding new hobbies, pursuing education or career opportunities, and embracing a happier, healthier lifestyle. By working diligently to repair the damage caused by my disease and proactively creating a supportive and nurturing environment, I believe that I have established a solid foundation for long-term recovery. I want to emphasize that recovery from substance abuse is a complex and individualized process. Just because it’s what worked to help get me better, doesn’t mean it’s the only way to go. Different individuals may require different treatment approaches and support systems. However, regardless of the path chosen, the importance of hard work remains constant. By embracing the significance of hard work in the recovery process, we all can increase our chances of achieving lasting sobriety, personal growth, and overall well-being. With unwavering love and caring.