There are so many misconceptions about addiction. One of my biggest misconceptions- “rehab”. I used to think, it will “fix” him- you know one and done type deal and we can go on with our “normal” lives. Well, that’s wrong. It cannot be “fixed” – at least how we want it to be.
Early on in one of Alecs first treatment facilities they had a great family recovery program. (Yes it’s a family disease-which one day I can talk more about) I learned so much about him and the disease of addiction. Crazy to say, but I am beyond thankful for our time there.
One thing they said that helped me really put addiction into perspective was to think about diabetes…. diabetics didn’t ask to be diabetic, nor do addicts ask to be addicts. In order to stay healthy Diabetics have to make daily choices about foods they eat, medication they take, exercise…. just to name a few. Addicts too have to be conscious about their daily life choices…. good choices, healthy life. Bad choices take them back down that road they really don’t want to be on.
The real truth-“Rehab” is just the first step of recovery. It is where addicts learn to manage their ongoing disease. Alec learned tools of how he could build a healthy life without drugs and alcohol. It offered him a network of people like him to talk to and build relationships with.
It offered him (and us) hope of a brighter future.
To stay sober is a daily decision an addict has to make. Kinda like- today I will wear this shirt, these socks, eat tacos for dinner, and I will drive a different way to work today because the liquor store on the corner triggered me a little yesterday.
I truly believe for some it is a daily struggle- I also believe for a majority of us who are not addicts really just don’t get it. We think, just stop. Just don’t drink. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy…. I so wish it was.
If you have someone in your life that is living a life of recovery- tell them you are proud of them because they didn’t get there by chance or luck or because you told them to, they work hard and have EARNED the life they have built!! And if you are reading this and are in recovery- I AM SO FREAKING PROUD OF YOU! Keep going!!!!
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