Tag: family

Posted on

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?

Free stock photo of black-and-white, hands, love, people

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.

Posted on

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.

Woman in Yellow Long Sleeved Dress Standing Beside Man in White Blue Crew Neck T Shirt

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.