When addiction takes over your life, it may be difficult to be able to share that part of your life with others. Shame and guilt usually kicks in because addiction can be responsible for taking you to some deep, dark places. Why would you want to pass on your misery to others? In recovery, the suggestion is to share your experience, strength, and hope with others to achieve a connection that will show them that they are not alone.
Treatment centers and 12-Step programs live by the process of one addict talking to another addict to get through the frustrations of the past and present. It may be daunting at first to open up and be vulnerable amongst your peers, but the real reason that you should share your addiction with others is because you never know who you are going to help by talking about the adversities and feelings that made you think that abusing drugs and alcohol was the only solution to your problems.
At first it may seem strange when you or in therapy or a 12-Step meeting to talk about the worst things that have happened to you so openly. You may have been accustomed to keeping secrets for your whole life, but we are as sick as our secrets. This is the reason why it is so useful in sobriety to release all the negative input making it into some positive output. Venting will create a huge relief within yourself that comes from not having to hold in all your resentments and fears any longer than you must.
You should not get intimidated by people who may laugh at your trials and tribulations. Laughter just means that somebody else is appreciating what you have shared and are relating to your undertakings and feelings that are similar to theirs. Honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness are all things that will connect you to other addicts. Having the HOW of recovery is really important to get you to open up, share, and be of service to others in the same boat as you.
Sharing about your addiction will change into sharing about your recovery, All you have when you get sober is the tales of your addiction, but when you stick around your addiction will evolve into your tales of recovery. Your story can benefit someone else to think that they can do what you did to stay sober, one day at a time.
Here at Serenity Oaks Wellness Center we are here to listen to why you need to get sober and help you to get through this next phase of your recovery. Come share your story today to begin the next leg of your journey with us. Call us now: 844-720-6847
