The Lies We Tell

A little lie might not seem like a big deal to the so-called normal person. After all, we all tell a little fib now and then.  Don’t we?

Sometimes it’s something harmless, maybe a lie of omission. Like not telling a friend that what they’re wearing looks ridiculous. Or telling our children they did well when we know they could have made a better effort.

But when addicts lie, the outcome is usually bad. For example, we’ve had employees in our corporate office who’ll get into prohibited relationships. When confronted, they’ll deny they’re involved with anyone. And the next thing we know those involved have left the program for another run of drinking and drugging. Neither was ready to deal with the heady emotions of a relationship. And lying about it increased the pressure.

The real danger is probably not the lies we addicts tell others – though those are bad enough. The real danger is the lies we tell ourselves.

Once we start telling a few lies it’s an easy step to the big lie: “I can handle one drink.” Or “One line can’t hurt me.” And once again our disease comes back to destroy us.

In the 12-step literature we read the phrase “cunning, baffling and powerful,” an expression of the danger we face.  Are our lies the catalyst that brings these words to life - unleashing our disease once again?