For addicts and alcoholics, the act of lying appears to come naturally. In active addiction, our loved ones don’t trust us, and well, neither does anyone else. We tell the truth so infrequently, that people just assume we’re lying when our mouths open. They are right to be cautious; the disease of addiction is not to be trusted. It is the disease that is the root of untruthfulness. Lies are a survival mechanism the disease uses to protect itself.
If you are a heroin addict, and your mom calls you out on recent behavior, you may tell her you haven’t been sleeping well, hence the nodding out. Or, if you’re an alcoholic, you may deny having been drinking, and tell your spouse that what they’re smelling is kombucha. For awhile, these lies and others that accompany them may fly with your loved ones. Your disease is happy, and you’re happy they believe them. Until, the lying catches up to you and you have spun such a large web that even you don’t know left from right.
It’s a nasty cycle, no one likes it, and it takes some time in recovery to make things right. It’s not uncommon for newcomers to feel a lot of frustration in early recovery, because their loved ones don’t trust them. They may feel and act completely differently, but to their families, it’s hard to forget the liar, cheater, and thief from not so long ago. If you are new in recovery, be gentle on yourself, and try to put yourself in their shoes. It takes awhile to re-earn trust, but it’s possible if you stick around and keep doing the next right thing.
If no one trusts you, and you’ve been struggling to stay clean and sober, we can help. The Lakehouse Recovery Center understands how addiction affects you and your loved ones. Here, you will learn the tools necessary to stay healthy and happy in recovery. Your life will begin to change, and you will begin to heal. Recovery teaches us to live our lives in honesty, and that is exactly what we do here. Treatment begins the process of giving and gaining trust, and as you build upon these skills, your relationships will change. If you are ready to begin a new life, give us a call.
We are available 24/7, toll-free at (877) SOBER | (877) 762-3707. You can recover. Don’t wait another day, take this opportunity and begin living. Really living.