Road to Recovery

There are those of us that struggle with their addictions. It is not an easy thing to deal with, there are those who would like to support but not know how. Despite their good intentions, there have been harmful results. The external pressures and ultimatums, bet better or else mentality are undoubtedly the cause for relapse. Our family and loved ones would like us to consider them and their feelings while we are the ones struggling. 

There are those with years in programs, singing it praises. This program saved me and it could save you too. Those blueprints, no matter how successful they are for some, do not work for all. They are often inflexible, leaving no room for exploration, but opens us to criticism for not following the way. That is where I am on my journey. I am a member of a traditional AA, and I am a member of a secular version of AA. One group is deep in the teachings of the Big Book and the words of its founder, while the other is indigenous lead. A different experience, with elders and oral teachings. Both leading toward the same destinations but very different roads of getting there. 

There are many roads to recovery. You must simply choose a path and move forward until it doesn’t work anymore. Then get up, dust yourself off and carry on. Explore another road, explore tactics and strategies that might work for you. Perhaps try out old tactics with a different perspective, making it new. 

That thought has shifted the way I work. Keeping my thoughts on the needs of the people I work with, reminding myself that they are designing their own road to recovery. Even if they decide to move off the pavement and cut their way. The defined road might not work, the pavement might be too hot underfoot. It might be too loud and overwhelming. It might feel too strict and inflexible, leaving no time to rest or take in the view. The guide may be eager to push us forward, perhaps feel that they say, pushing us forward or holding us back in our own journeys. I have experiences where both of those things are true. 

What is also true is that I will be beside them, helping them. At least they won't be alone in their work. I can support them, for as long as they want my support. There are many programs that advocate for acts of Humility. Humility is an act of service, however we get to decide what the services we accept, and what is asked for, what is needed. I don’t often know how I support myself unless I ask. I don’t know if the support I offer is valuable unless I offer it. Support as needed. Even if it is just, company while we cut this path toward the goal. Recovery. 

#recovery #support #AA