What it Takes to MAKE IT

Busting Addiction and Its Myths

In this article, we discuss the following topics:

1. A return to a more normalized schedule results in a healthy, predictable rhythm for the day and for the night. It helps to have a written schedule of activity for the 24-hour period, even if you just say “play 2-4 pm" as an example.
2. Exercise/fitness: chances are, your physical body has been over-stressed by not eating right and by lack of exercise. Getting into a fitness routine is not just a nice suggestion. It is vital, that you get on the fitness path, if only slowly at first. You will start to build your stamina for life as it is meant to be lived today.
3. Re-learning to eat right is part of your self-care program. This may sound boring, but the fact is that you have likely not been paying attention to the things that matter in life. That's not a condemnation; it’s just the disease playing its destructive role in disrupting everything that is normal, including how you nourish your body, and your mind, too.
4. Getting a sponsor who will help you work your 12-step program is without question one of the main pillars of recovery, at least in our book. We are fully aware that the 12 steps are not the only way to recovery and God bless the other ways if they help save a life from needless suffering and even death.
5. Doing the things that make us grow, give us joy and have us become a productive member of society is a main pillar of recovery. That includes reigniting a passion like art or music, going back to a trade school, or starting college anew, and becoming involved in giving back to our fellow travellers on the highway of recovery.
6. Fully embrace that addictive disorder is just that: it’s a disease that had you in its merciless grip and helps explain much of what you did that brought you shame and may still. But please understand this: there is absolutely no shame in having this disorder. None whatsoever. You are taking a courageous step in arresting this disease in its tracks.
7. Having an objective view of ourselves when we finally make our amends is a key test of how well we are doing: “This is what I did, and I am here to say I am sorry, and I'm also here to pay you the money back". That’s all we owe. We are there to clear our own consciences so that we are no longer carrying shame and guilt. At some point that has to end, anyway.