Not too many people like to be told what to, plain and simple. Someone who struggles with addiction from drugs and alcohol will typically possess the characteristics of entitlement and rebellion because they honestly believe they know best. However, when they get knocked down enough to accept surrender, they may become more willing to hear how others got sober and actually pay attention.
No one in recovery needs to present themselves as a guru or an expert since all the information provided has been passed down for decades. What a recovery program entails is a compilation of suggestions intended to keep you sober and guide the next person who needs help. Instead of looking at these suggestions as someone telling you what to do, take them as tried-and-true methods for saving your life.
Be Honest
The truth is that if you were able to get sober on your own, you would have already done it. As a rule, addiction is tough to conquer, so trying to go at it alone lowers your chances of staying sober long-term and increases the risk of relapse. Admitting that you need help is the first step for getting into recovery if you allow yourself to get honest about your addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Be Open-Minded
Allowing yourself to be open-minded is essential in recovery and will trickle into other aspects of your life. This does not mean that you have to implement every suggestion offered into your recovery program. Take what works for you and leave the rest. Make sure to run your ideas by a sponsor or a therapist so they can help you better decide what will work for you and what will not.
Be Willing
All you need is just a tiny bit of willingness to get started. Once you become willing to start changing, you will be more apt to do what it takes to stay sober. Get your meetings in order, work the 12 Steps, and find like-minded people to support you.
Give recovery your all and be willing to see where people in recovery are right so you can follow suit. Success in life stems from keeping your perspective fresh and continuously learning. You can ascertain these aspects of prosperity from hands-on experience or broaden your horizons from other people’s knowledge through humility.
If someone is telling you what to do and it bothers you, set a boundary. Otherwise, take all the suggestions for free and be better for it in the long run.
The Detox Center of Colorado has designs for living that provides solutions to drug and alcohol addiction. Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, we offer “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives in mind, body, and spirit. The Detox Center of Colorado fosters connection, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. Call us today to hear more at (303) 536-5463.
