Not much good comes from comparing one thing to another. If you always compare your neighbor’s color of grass with yours, how will you ever truly appreciate your own shade of green? When we nitpick, we separate ourselves from others. Separation is the last thing anyone in recovery should do, because separation leads to isolation. You may not feel like you can relate to everything someone says about their addiction or recovery, but you can surely relate to what it’s like to have the disease.
Try to approach recovery with an open mind. If you attend 12 Step meetings, look for the similarities in your life as you listen to other people’s shares. Everyone’s path is different—before recovery and after. Some people have low bottoms, whereas others get clean and sober before their worlds collapse. No matter where you think you fit in or you don’t: you fit in. That’s the whole purpose of fellowship: we fit in because we all have the disease of addiction. We all belong, regardless of where we sit on the addiction scale.
Maybe you didn’t slam a beer the minute you woke up every morning, but you can relate to those of us who did because you were sneaking wine from your closet every evening. You might not have injured or killed someone while you were driving, but you can relate because you drove high and never got caught. Your drug dealer may not live near skid row, but you get your refills at the pharmacy. We all have our differences, but it’s our similarities that keep us moving forward in recovery, together. We tell ourselves in recovery to look for the similarities, not the differences. Unless we look for what we have in common, we will continue fueling the way we feel “apart from” instead of feeling “a part of”.
All too often, someone desperate enough to find the rooms of recovery will come check out a meeting or two, but will begin comparing themselves rather than identifying with others. The sad truth is they go back out, drink, use, and die. It happens every single day, but you don’t have to become a part of this statistic.
We can help you, but you have to take the first step and pick up the phone. At Lakehouse Recovery Center, we will help you identify things in your life that we can help you change. Our hybrid approach to recovery will provide you with the tools you need to live your life successfully without drugs and alcohol. You are not alone, and you can do this. We welcome you with open arms because your recovery is important to us. Give us a call, your life can change, and it can change today. We are available 24/7, toll-free at (877) SOBER | (877) 762-3707.