A client came to TLC outpatient clinic from clear
across the country to receive treatment and all of a sudden wants to go back
home.
That desire to return home is
not unusual among our clients. Somehow they're surprised when they show up at a
new place and find that they meet themselves when they arrive.
Kind of like "what are
you doing here? I thought I left you behind."
They meet their addict self at the
airport. Or the bus station over and over again, wherever they go. And this keeps
happening until they confront their issues and get into recovery.
The reality for us addicts is
that things never change until we start digging into ourselves and get into
recovery. Somehow the idea, or the illusion, that changing locations is going
to make a major difference is a myth.
To get into recovery we must
face the painful realities of our life. We have to accept the idea that we’re
addicts and alcoholics who need tools so we can change our lives. Is it
painful? Yes, most of the time..
But when we confront our
disease with courage, with conviction, then somehow the pain subsides. The
rewards of recovery start showing up right away once we make the commitment to change.
All of a sudden our minds are
clear. We start sleeping better. After a few weeks our families are receptive
to our phone calls. We're not looking over our shoulders, maybe wondering when
the police will show up. We’re not
hiding from bill collectors.
