The Gift of Drug Addiction Recovery

No one ever says, "When I grow up I want to be a drug addict." As for myself, I recall my mother using that term and I had not a clue as to what she was talking about. I could not conceive of the idea that a person could not control his behavior. Becoming an addict was the furthest thing from my mind.

The Harsh Reality of Drug Addiction

Flash forward 15 years from then and there I was, stuck in a vicious cycle of using drugs and bipolar disorder. I did not have a clue how this could have happened. There are a variety of factors that typically contribute to a person becoming a drug addict. Initially I simply wanted to be a part of the “in” crowd. I was always looking for a way to be accepted by my peers.

It didn’t take long for my addiction to take hold. Before long, I found myself craving the drug more and more. I also began to engage in behaviors to get my drug – things I previously never would have done. Risk-taking behaviors such as stealing and going into strange houses to cop, were both regular parts of my drug using repertoire and are not uncommon for drug addicts.

A Way Out Through Addiction Treatment

As my addiction progressed, I was admitted to an outpatient drug treatment program. At first, I resented being there. After all, I didn’t have a problem (or so I thought). My first counselor was incredibly ineffective, so much that I recall attending a group counseling session under the influence. Eventually, I got a new counselor with whom I felt I could relate. It was through this therapeutic relationship that I eventually turned the corner and gained a measure of insight into my disease.

But putting down the drug was just the first step. I had to start to look at my past behaviors and recognize that many, if not most, of my actions were formed by a degree of self-centeredness. It was all about ME!!! I had to acknowledge that the world does not revolve around Karl (which I still have to remind myself).

When I am able to look at myself and acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of myself, then the healing can begin. This takes time. I didn’t become addicted in one day, this is true, so I cannot expect to recover overnight. Addiction recovery is a journey – one of the greatest gifts one can ever receive.

Have you received this gift?