We almost always enter into recovery thinking that we are alone in the feelings that led us into addiction. Perhaps we faced trauma or suffer from mental health conditions and feel as though we are somehow immune from the ability to recover from our addiction. We may see others as being better or worse off than we were, and feel that our experience was too different for us to learn from them. However, the truth is that all men and women suffering from the disease of addiction share certain commonalities. We quickly will find that our feelings are not unique. Nearly everyone suffering from addiction has felt the same feelings of hopelessness, depression, and loneliness. We have all had a similar experience with the spiritual sickness and emotional problems that drove us into substance use and addiction. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains, “We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn’t control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn’t make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn’t seem to be of real help to other people…” These spiritual “bedevilments” are not unique in the recovery community. Nearly everyone suffering from the disease of addiction can identify with some, if not all, of these descriptions. The Big Book further explains, “Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic.” Our denial can be strong, and it is easy to enter into treatment looking for an excuse to prove that we are somehow different and can manage our addictions because our addiction is not as bad as someone else’s. If we can open up about our problems, however, we will find that despite external differences in our story, our internal condition was the same. If we can humble ourselves and recognize that we are all working together to overcome the same disease, our loneliness will quickly vanish and we will open ourselves up to taking suggestions from others and progressing in our journey of recovery.
You are not alone in the pain and suffering of addiction. You can make the decision to seek help now and begin the journey toward permanent sobriety. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with experienced professionals who understand the nature of addiction and can guide you to a happy and sober life. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
