Resentment is an everyday occurrence for everyone, whether or not they suffer from addiction or alcoholism. For those in recovery, however, resentment can cause a person to once again seek solace and comfort in drugs and alcohol. Everyone gets upset with others at some point—we step on the toes of others and they retaliate, leaving us bitter and resentful. Fortunately, there are ways to effectively deal with resentments and other negative emotions when they crop up in our day-to-day lives. The worst thing we can do is hold onto our resentments. We may be hurt or offended over something small, but by holding onto the resentment, it begins to fester and grow within us until we are in unfit spiritual condition and find ourselves lashing out at others at the slightest provocation. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains, “Resentment is the ‘number one’ offended. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have been spiritually sick. When the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.” A resentment, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can snowball into something greater that harms us and those around us if we do not deal with it immediately. If we can let go of our resentments quickly, we will find that we are better able to maintain the spiritual connection that we rely on as a means of maintaining sobriety. The Big Book offers simple directions for letting go of resentment, selfishness, dishonesty, and fear when they occur. First, we “ask God at once to remove them.” We don’t delay in reaching out to our higher power because the resentment will inevitably grow if we don’t deal with it immediately. Second, “we discuss them with someone immediately.” This may be our sponsor or trusted friend in recovery. They will help us gain an objective view of the situation and see what our part may have been in the creation of the resentment. Third, we “make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone.” We must be aware of our part in the resentment and recognize if we said or did something that hurt another person. We put aside our pride and go to them to set things right. Finally, we “resolutely turn out thoughts to someone we can help.” This allows us to get out of our own minds for a bit and turn the resentment into positive action. There are always those around us that could use our help. Eventually, these actions become second nature and we are in less danger of falling victim to our own negative feelings. We will be able to maintain fit spiritual condition and continue on our journey of recovery undeterred.
Your story can be one of happiness, joyousness, and freedom in sobriety. You can make the decision to seek help today and begin upon the path of recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in beautiful Laguna Beach, offers cutting-edge treatment techniques and methodologies designed to give you all the tools necessary to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety. For more information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
