How to Guide: Using Your Addiction for the Greater Good

While you are in the midst of drug or alcohol addiction, sobriety can pose itself as the unachievable goal…

It can be near impossible to picture yourself without the substance you so eagerly crave right now. It can be near impossible to see how you could ever rebuild the life you once had. It can be near impossible to picture how you will get back your friends and family.

And, do you know what can seem even more impossible?

Finally, being able to give back to your community.

I know what you are thinking…

Give back? But, wait, you’re an addict. How will you ever be in a position to give back to your community?

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You don’t have millions of dollars. You don’t have your own business to just start giving homeless people jobs.

But, you do have one of the greatest gifts of all….

Your story. Your testimony. Your past.

Millions of people around the world are struggling with addiction each and every day. Oftentimes, they could really just use a helping hand. Someone who understands, someone who can offer valuable advice…

And someone who is actually credible.

Yes, of course, the doctors, nurses and program directors that aid in addiction recovery are very valuable, knowledgeable, and credible sources. However, for an addict, they still need to hear advice from someone who knows first-hand what they are experiencing.

Someone from the inside.

So, once you have taken the steps to overcoming addiction, how can you help others and give back to your community? These few simple ideas could turn your addiction around for the good.

Work harder and smarter.

When you become employed again, or even if you never lost your job, focus on being the best you can be and being 200 percent better than you were before.

Now that you have found a new take on life, focus your energy on improving your work ethic. At your new job, or just your revitalized same job, work hard to impress the boss. It will pay off not only emotionally but potentially monetarily, as well.

Lend a helping hand.

There was a time when you were the one in need – maybe of just advice or maybe even of food and water or shelter.

If you have a friend or know someone struggling, talk with them. See what you can do to help.

You could even join an addiction recovery support group

This will help you meet others like yourself and you can continuously work to encourage each other. You will be surprised how much of an impact you can really make.

Just remember, at one point you needed help – now, it is time to repay that debt.

I Triple Dog Dare You….to Recover.

Do you remember as a child, playing on the playground or in your room with your friends?

You would find yourselves bored. You absolutely could not think of anything to do. Maybe it is a group of about six of you – three boys and three girls. So, inevitably, someone suggests truth or dare.

“I dare you to go hug that tree,” your juvenile friend says.

“Oh yeah, well I triple dog dare you to kiss Sally on the cheek,” the next person says.

That’s right – you heard it… The “triple dog dare.” That is where stuff gets hairy. You can’t pass up a triple dog dare. That is just against all the rules of the game.

Well, I have a challenge for you…

I triple dog dare you to start your journey to recovery today.

Every day you wait is another day wasted. It is another day longer it will be before you are addiction free. Another day your child will have to wait to see you clean. Another day spent putting your spouse through the troubles of living with an addict.

Not to be so morbid, but sometimes the truth hurts…

Our lives are like an hour glass. Our time is constantly ticking away, like the tiny granules of sand dripping through the small opening in the hour glass. Each granule of sand is like an hour in your life.

Why keep wasting time wishing you could get clean?

Start spending time on actually getting clean.

Do your research.

So maybe you can’t just show up at a rehab facility today, but you can start looking for the perfect one. Start by finding out what program and facility would best suit your needs.

Does it need to be an outpatient facility? Does it need to work around your full-time job?

But, don’t find the easiest one that only sees or speaks to you once a week because then you are just setting yourself up for failure. Find a happy medium – something that works for you but that will still stick to their guns.

Discuss your options with the family.

Talk to your spouse, parents, siblings, or close friends about your options. Let them give their insight as an outsider and help you determine your next step.

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This also helps keep you accountable as you have already made the first step toward recovery just by telling them.

Contact the facility.

Now, it is time to make the hard steps. You actually have to reach out to the facility and admit you have a problem, admit you are willing to make a change, and start working on making a difference.

Focus on the positive outcomes rather than the negative side effects you might experience during your journey to recovery. This might be the step where you need extra support.

Recovery starts with a simple decision to start walking in the right direction.

Don’t keep waiting – I have already triple dog dared you, so the time is ticking.

Taking a “Leap of Faith” to Recovery

Do you remember when you first decided to walk with Christ? It literally took a leap of faith. It takes trusting something that you cannot see – trusting that He will guide you, take care of you and that He knows what is best for you.

The decision to go to recovery can be compared to that leap of faith taken in your spiritual life. It takes a leap of faith to trust that it will work. You have to believe that your life will be better once you overcome addiction. You have to trust that the staff at the Christian substance abuse treatment centers know what is best for you.

Even though the recovery facility might have a proven track record of success, it can still be hard to trust that it will work for you. Maybe you are just skeptical, or maybe this is not your first go around with recovery…

Whatever the case might be, it will take a leap of faith.

Most people who have overcome addiction had to do it that way – you just say you are going to get better and take the jump to get there.

But, what happens when you combine spirituality with your addiction recovery and do take that leap of faith?

You will become empowered…

The combination of your spiritual faith and the faith you must place in yourself to overcome addiction are magical.

You see, recovery is also in part a mental thing…

There will be several times when you think… ”I can’t do this anymore,” or… “I am a failure.” Addiction recovery is not easy, by any stretch of the imagination. And, we won’t pretend that it is. It takes dedication, hard-work, and a major support system.

But, with the Almighty One on your side, you have the biggest support system you could ever want. Take the leap of faith – literally and figuratively…

Pick yourself up and go to rehab because you need it and it will make a difference in your life. But, also take the spiritual leap of faith and trust that He will carry you through the trials and tribulations that come with recovering from drug addiction.

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If you find yourself needing some words of encouragement, here are a few encouraging quotes that might help when going through addiction recovery:

  • “Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be only afraid of standing still.”–Chinese Proverb
  • “Release your past into the universe and embrace your future with opened arms.”―Delma Pryce, ABOVE AND BEYOND: My Spiritual Journey 
  • “Faith is, by its very definition, belief without proof.”―Stephen King
  • “… sometimes to find the answer, you have to take a leap of faith.”―Dianna Hardy, Summer’s End