Addiction is a disease of the mind. It causes obsessive thoughts and makes you act compulsively, despite knowing the consequences of such behaviors. A person in the depths of their addiction lacks responsibility for their actions. They think all their problems are someone else’s fault. Now that you’ve decided to get clean and sober, it is time that you become accountable for your own behavior. Addicts and alcoholics blame others, by nature. They lack the understanding that misfortunes in life are the direct result of their of their own doing. No one else is to blame for their difficulties. Learning to take responsibility for your actions in early recovery is not an easy task when you’ve been blaming others your entire life. This is why finding an accountability partner can be beneficial. An accountability partner is someone who encourages you and recognizes positive changes you’re making. Addicts can be deceitful at times, so finding an accountability partner who will also criticize your mendaciousness will be beneficial because it teaches transparency. Being completely honest with your accountability partner is imperative. You can only begin to grow and become responsible for your actions if you’re honest about them. If you don’t tell anyone about the motives of your actions, then you may not be able to see their deceitfulness. You should choose a partner who is able to take an objective view and be totally honest with you. Your partner needs to be mature, trustworthy, and willing to invest the time to help. It is recommended that you choose someone who is not currently going through the same struggles as you, but may have in the past. Someone with that type of experience will allow for greater understanding. While a spouse and significant other can certainly support you, they may find it hard to criticize and give objective feedback to certain situations. Therefore, it will be most beneficial to everyone involved to choose an outsider that is less likely to be involved in the situations you need help with the most. It is important that you meet with your accountability partner at least once per week, if not a few times. Doing this leaves less room for addictive behaviors and more room for honesty. Your partner may ask if you wanted to use and how it felt. Sometimes it can feel uncomfortable being completely transparent with another person about our feelings and motives, but this is how people change. Having a source of tough, but unconditional love can be a valuable resource throughout your journey of recovery.
Oceanfront Recovery is a men’s & women’s addiction treatment center offering residential programs and a full continuum of care to help men begin a new life of recovery. Each therapy and modality we offer is designed to help men change their story. We believe when you change your story, you can change your life. Call us today for information: 877.279.1777
