Lives in Recovery

Category: Alumni

  • 6 Life Changes That Occur During The Process Of Recovery

    6 Life Changes That Occur During The Process Of Recovery

    What life changes will be noticeable in recovery immediately and gradually over time?  This is a question that many addicts ask themselves both before and during their recovery process.  There are several benefits of recovery, especially when it comes to your well-being.

    More: The 5 Stages Of Recovery From Addiction

    Being Present

    Being able to experience each moment as it happens is a gift.  During your use, you may have been focusing on one thing: getting your next fix of your drug of choice.  With true recovery, you may notice yourself able to appreciate where you are in the present.  Whether you are going for a walk, talking with a loved one, or enjoying a holiday with accompaniment, you will be able to partake in the activities whereas during your use you may have been more jumpier, agitated, or in your own head space.  You finally will see yourself not skipping the opportunity of living your own life.

    Selfishness Fades

    When you come off your drug run and work the program of recovery, you may see how your thoughts cease to be centered on yourself.  You may even be reaching out to others, offering suggestions that were once given to you, and helping others with something they are struggling with.  You will finally get the chance to admit you know what someone else is going through and act as support for them.

    Clearer Mind

    On alcohol and/or drugs, addicts lack a sense of stable and healthy thinking.  You can function better without the use of a mind-altering substance because you won’t be “playing doctor” by taking in chemicals that manipulate your natural brain chemistry.  Focusing and being able to concentrate may get easier as a result, making decisions less impulsive and not as difficult to make.

    Optimistic Outlook

    Abusing substances can make addicts wallow in self-pity, but when they become clean, they give themselves a chance to work through their struggles.  After this, they may have a better outlook on life.  Hope is restored in recovery and the pain begins to recede.

    Listening to Your Conscience

    In the process of recovery, you may develop a better sense of what you believe is right or wrong.  You may find that you can better listen to your conscience now that you are off your alcohol and/or drugs.  When you were taking substances, you probably had to lie, cheat, steal, and partake in other unhealthy behaviors. Now, honesty may become an inadvertent habit.

    Understanding Yourself

    You may have lost an understanding of who you are when you were in the midst of your addiction because you became something you probably never thought you could be.  The situations you may have placed yourself in and the behaviors you displayed during your substance abuse probably transformed you into someone other than yourself.  Getting sober allows you to rediscover the person you were meant to be.  It can be especially exciting to relearn your interests, passions, and thought process.  When you are able to get to know yourself and your true desires in life, you may find motivation to better achieve your goals.

    More: Daily Meditation

    The benefits of recovery and the changes you may see in yourself are infinite.  Every day will give you the opportunity to better yourself progressively.

  • Being Present and Living In The Moment

     

    How many times have you found yourself unable to experience being present living in the moment you are in?  You may regularly go through these spouts of frustration whether you endure your commute to work in a huff and a puff, dread that you will have to indulge in another tedious long day, sigh at the person ahead of you in the grocery store because they are holding up the line with their price check, feel incompetent when you can’t navigate directions to a new place you are driving to, or grow overwhelmed running around trying to take care of one matter after another.  After each task gets handled, you may find yourself with thoughts like…

    I can’t wait until I get home.

    I can’t wait until I can lie down.

    I can’t wait until the weekend.

    I can’t wait until the holiday.

    With all this waiting, what happens to us being present and that moment?  We end up wasting throwing away all of this time that could essentially accumulate to half a lifetime eventually, and what are we waiting for anyway that is so important that we can’t enjoy where we are in the moment presently occurring?

  • Let Go Of The Past

     

    A key component to moving forward is facing the reality that one must let go of the past.  If an addict and/or alcoholic wants to reap the benefits in the process of recovery and not just stray away from substances but genuinely flourish as a sober individual living by the principles they have been exposed to, then they must be willing to toss the baggage of yesterday away and take the leap of faith to wherever that may bring them.  Coming into recovery, an individual may get frustrated because it’s likely that as an alcoholic and/or addict, they are accustomed to their own organized way of living.  Recovery opens doors to an entirely different approach that the active substance user might never have even fathomed with a vivid outlook that expands beyond the expression of words.

    Let Go the Past to Move Forward

    C.S. Lewis once said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” 

    When you find it within you to let go of the past and any pain you carry along with it, you can truly begin to heal and find peace.  One day you may come to find out that the life you were given was far better than anything you had invested in as your own plan anyhow.  Focusing on the moment you are in, you can accept that where you are is exactly where you are meant to be, even if you aren’t doing exactly what you feel you should be doing.  Thinking a statement like that in itself could get you into a negative, unprecedented mindset.  When you cloud your mind with all of these weary “should” statements, you are saying that you know best and slipping into a world of disillusionment.  Seeing through such debauchery of your own superior complexity will allow you to dodge disaster because when self-knowledge kicks into gear, the outcome can be fatal for the alcoholic and/or addict.  True contentedness can grow apparent when life is accepted on life’s terms.  The past is the past and the sooner it is realized that the individual never had control over it anyway, the quicker they can find absolution from the prison they hold themselves in over mistakes of the past.  This is not to say that harm done cannot be rectified.  There is a time and place for amends to be made when appropriate.  As it pertains to the alcoholic and/or addict, sober supports are often sought out for advisement of this phase in their developmental process.  But overall, the past is meant to lie exactly where it is.  The major change that needs to take effect is in the thinking of the alcoholic and/or addict because the root of their disease manifests itself not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

    A lack of growth can cause an alcoholic or addict to step backwards in their recovery.  If the alcoholic and/or addict fail to continually expand their horizons and work to progress their health, it can be seen almost as though they are giving in to the temptation of stagnation.  Despite society instilling the message that when a child or person is lost their best bet is to stay put, the alcoholic and/or addict does not benefit by doing nothing.  Recovery takes effort and hard, strenuous, copious amounts of effort.  It may come to a point when the individual is in an ocean of vulnerability and treachery, on the verge of indulging on the temptation of their addiction.  Does the alcoholic and/or addict sink or swim?  It can all go back to how strong their understanding is behind the essence of living away from selfish and dishonest immoral components that feed alcoholic and addict tendencies.

    Do you find yourself still abusing substances regularly without the ability to stop on your own?  Chat live with some now: Addiction Help Chat

     

  • How to Act As If During the Process of Recovery from Addiction

    How to Act As If During the Process of Recovery from Addiction

    When in the process of recovery from an addiction, a common suggestion may be to act as if. This can be a confusing concept for the recovering addict to comprehend, especially early on. Allowing such a heavy theme to digest can prove to be beneficial for the addict as they trudge their way to learning more about the disease they have and divulging into working on themselves to pry away at the root of what drives them to act out on their addiction.

    Act As If to Recover

    The recovering addict may first ponder what exactly it even means to act as if. A sober support may suggest that along the way the recovering individual continue on in trusting their program of recovery as if they are recovered by taking suggestions, reaching out to other sober supports, and continuing to believe that recovery is attainable. The idiom of faking it to make it has proven to have worked for many individuals striving toward recovering from addiction because eventually these “acts” begin to stick like glue in the addict’s life and become more ritualistic or genuine in nature. In other words, what may begin as the addict having to act as if during the process of recovery from an addiction may transcend into authentic routine for the recovering individual through progress and transformation when they become entirely ready by having willingness to grow.

    The Art of Surrendering

    Many individuals in recovery wind up surrendering their will, only to take it back and try to control matters in their life that they realistically know they have no power over anyway. This constant back and forth can cause frustration in their own lives and they may see how simpler it could be just to wave that white truce flag from the beginning by accepting the things they already know they cannot change. When individuals can stop burning up all this energy so foolishly and let go of this burden of worrying about trying to keep such a strict mandate on life’s ordinance by instead remaining in peace with the ebb and flow of how it goes, then they will find far more contentment with themselves and others.   When an individual in recovery can act as if, they begin to show signs of surrendering because they are willing to go to any lengths to recover from their addiction to try to recover to achieve that sense of peace.

    Surrendering to the process of recovery can be an essential piece to an individual’s recovery because it shows that the individual is willing to give every bit of themselves in order to get better. It comes back to how badly the individual wants to recover and if they are truly willing to take each of the allotted necessary suggestions that have worked for a great many others before him. What used to be somewhat robotic or told to the recovering addict may now be more wanted by the individual as opposed to a demand or requirement. It won’t feel so commercial or artificial. The recovering addict can feel like the divine and authentic self moving forward with their recovery and able to help others as they begin to suggesting that they act as if until they can genuinely know to do otherwise in their recovery.

    Looking for more inspiration to help you on your road to recovery? Click here: Drop The Rock.

  • The Definition Of A Promise

     

    What is the definition of promise? Promiterre. Prometida. Promesse. Promise. However you choose to say the word, promise sends a message of impact because it means that a person is guaranteeing that they will follow through with the words they are assuring you. There is a level of trust immediately thrust within such a promise that can easily be broken if the promise is falsely given. This can happen simply because people tend to make promises not realizing how significant of a commitment their own words have the potential to hold.

    Definition of Promise

    In the definition of promise, there is certainty and absolution. To make an authentic promise that you intend on keeping, you must question your motives and realize that they are coming from the next right place. What does this mean exactly? The promise shouldn’t be something that you are just saying in order to get what you want out of another person. You should only be making a promise with another person or to yourself if it is genuine. When promises lack authenticity, it can be felt due to confliction from the mixed or partial message conveyed. There’s a quote that goes, “You can pretend to care but you can’t pretend to show up.” This acts as a pinnacle for the underlying theme of how the ability to keep a promise shows the true depth of a person by speaking volumes of their character. It’s just like admitting that anybody can say something, but a true inspiring individual will be able to live up to claims they are making. The trouble here, however, is that sometimes people don’t see that they are making such heavy pledges when they are creating them, which can lead to such devastation when they come to realize they cannot rise to the occasion by meeting the expectation.

    Understanding An Empty Promise

    An empty promise is a when an alleged assurance is false and made with no true commitment to be fulfilled. It is wrong to do this and when people get in the habit of making empty promise after promise, they put themselves at risk for becoming compulsive liars, suave talkers, and manipulators. With behaviors like this going on, there is dishonesty, selfishness, fear, and self-seeking tendencies. When this fills up your life, there isn’t much room for positivity or growth and a person can quickly tarnish their good reputation.

    Making Effective Promises

    With the definition of promise revolving around definite circumstances and keeping up with standards that are set, it is crucial that the promise is effective in order for it to be taken into account. The best way to go about making an effective promise is to make sure that you are committed to the belief and principle behind it. If there is doubt or any hesitance about it, then you should put more thought before making the devotion to it. Otherwise, you risk hurting yourself or worse, other people in the long run.

    Because I Said I Would

    Alex Sheen is the founder of the nonprofit organization social media outlet Because I Said I Would, which allows people to write out a promise, fulfill it, and display it on the social media site. He created the platform as a tribute to his father, who died from Stage 4 terminal small cell lung cancer. “What my father did was keep his promises, particularly to me and my brother Greg.” Sheen explained how his desire about the entire creative idea came from wanting his father’s memory to live on, which is exactly what Because I Said I Would allows. “Promise is elemental to humanity – something we all understand.” This is true because promises know no language as a barrier and they aren’t discriminated against. People all throughout the world have the ability to make promises – it all comes down to the matter of people being able to own up to adhering to keeping them instead of turning them into an empty promise.

    The definition of promise is important in maintaining healthy relationships and functioning throughout society because it keeps you living authentically in honesty. When you can be honest with yourself and others, you will notice better communication and genuine relationships building. With this comes stability and peace of mind.

  • Ambition

    Sobriety Has Nothing To Do With Luck

    Ever think someone is so lucky because they got sober and you couldn’t? Well, here is the great news, it has nothing to do with luck and you can achieve it, too. Luck is basically when preparation meets opportunity. So, let’s break that down in 5 easy steps to show you how you can achieve sobriety through a little self-made luck. Sober Luck Step 1 Admit You Have Problem Admitting you have a problem with drugs or alcohol is the first step towards long-term recovery. If you can’t admit it, it will be hard to fix it. This is…

  • Life Management Skills: Create A Better Future In Recovery

    Life Management Skills: Create A Better Future In Recovery

     

    Knowledge of life management skills can benefit you in your recovery from alcohol and/or drugs. When you find healthy ways to cope with life on life’s terms, you will find you have a better grasp on how to handle the business of living. When you were abusing drugs and/or alcohol while stuck in the active use of your addiction, you may have found it difficult to hold a job or keep up with work, maintain relationships with friends and family, and handle your financial responsibilities. Areas in life that other people are able to manage may seem increasingly difficult in your sobriety, but don’t let the little things throw you into a distressed state. Keep calm and take into account that you can learn of ways to manage areas of your life. You just might need to give yourself some time to practice and adjust to new methods of living, so be patient and try to keep calm.

    Life Management Skills

    Seeking Employment

    It can rough when you are a recovering addict and/or alcoholic and you are seeking employment. Rest assured because as long as you persevere with your search, an opportunity is bound to come up. Be sure to check out different web sites designed for job searching because the internet provides several updated listings of open positions. If you’re struggling with not hearing back from any employers that you have applied to online, then you may want to be proactive by job hunting the old fashioned way and introducing yourself to a hiring manager or supervisor of all local employers. It will definitely help to have a printed resume on hand and a list of references that are willing to say a good word or two about you.

    Keeping A Job Upon Being Hired

    Once you have a job, keeping it may grow to be a new challenge. Stress can easily form in the work place, so remember to take it, just as with your recovery, one minute at a time. Don’t get too overwhelmed with your job because if you’re really unhappy there, then there are plenty of other opportunities to look at in the future. Holding the job is going to require you to be on time, respectful to others at work, and have the ability to adhere to proper instruction or constructive criticism. As an addict and/or alcoholic, you may not like having to listen to other people, but when it comes to the work place, you need to become willing to do as your superiors say. When you come to work, you should be well-rested, fully prepared, and ready to work. Try to motivate yourself and push yourself to do the best you can.

    Handling Finances

    That first paycheck you get can be triggering for some people. Getting paid doesn’t have result in you purchasing drugs and/or alcohol and resorting back to abusing your substance of choice. The first part you need to remember about getting paid is that you will have to save some. The amount you will need to save will go toward what you pay for where you live, food, and other basic bills. Managing this doesn’t require too much effort. You may find it easiest to write down what you spend for each, that way you know how much you have to save and you will be able to figure out what you can spend on healthy materials or activities that promote your new sober lifestyle.

    Maintaining Relationships

    In the beginning of your recovery, having to deal with other people might have seemed tricky. Addicts and alcoholics aren’t exactly known for keeping healthy relationships [link to:] with significant others, family members, or friends. Being in recovery gives you the opportunity to work on and change this! You don’t have to talk to every person you know every single day, but regular contact with loved ones is healthy and may even make you happier overall. Discover some common interests with new friends and make plans to do something fun, like go to a movie or out to lunch. Take the time to listen to others and interact. This will also teach you how to be present in the moment and further promote your healthy recovery.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Alumni

    Alumni

    Exercise In Recovery

    Just Do It! You’ve been talking about it for months. Whenever you drive by the gym you’ve belonged to since 2001, you get the euphoric…

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    Why Is Working With Others So Important In Recovery?

    Working with others is a vital aspect for maintaining recovery for alcohol and/or drug addiction. Helping to pass the message along keeps you from…

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    Staying True To Yourself

    Getting lost as a human being is one of the easiest yet most painful things that can happen. Going from an easy, breezy life…

    in Ambition Be the first to comment!

    How To Trust The Process In Recovery

    “Just trust the process.” As an addict and/or alcoholic, how many times have you heard this from another fellow recovering individual? It can be frustrating…

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    What To Do When You’re Struggling In Recovery

    When you’re an alcoholic and/or addict whose struggling during a difficult time in your recovery, it can be challenging to appreciate life. However, you can…

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    Staying Sober During Christmas – Infographic

    Here are some simple suggestions to help you stay clean and sober this Christmas. Please feel free to share our Staying Sober During The Holidays…

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