"A grateful alcoholic will never drink again."
-- Unattributed
If you spend time around 12-step programs, you will inevitably hear the line, "A grateful heart will never drink again." In my own recovery, I've been reminded that I should be grateful every day. There are a lot of sayings in recovery circles, and this can sound like just a platitude, but, in my experience, there is a lot of truth to that statement.
When drinking or using, people with substance use disorder are anything but grateful. No one begins recovery because life is going swimmingly, and the active person with SUD can feel like the world is against them. Relationships with friends and family are likely strained at the very least. Jobs and careers are difficult to manage. You're struggling to either fight the constant urge to drink or use, you're trying to make sure you're getting away with drinking or using as much as you need, or both.
It feels like the world is conspiring against you, and there is nothing for which to be grateful. In truth, friends, family, colleagues, and even employers likely have your best interests at heart. Of course, your best interests are counter to your cravings, that NEED to get your next drink or fix.
In recovery, many of us can look back and see that friends, family, colleagues, and even employers were trying to help. We just were not ready and/or did not have the resources to accept that help.
In recovery, we can look back and be grateful for everything that the people in our lives were trying to do for us, and we can be grateful for everything we receive as gifts of our sobriety. In early recovery, some of us feel like victims, as if we are being deprived of something, and, to some extent we are. It is true that if I continue to do the right things, I will never again savor a fine wine, but it is a small price to pay for everything that has been restored or given to me as a result of my sobriety.
Many people in recovery keep gratitude lists -- the details may differ, but these tend to be kept as a list of five things each day for which the author is grateful. Why is it true that "A grateful heart will never drink again?" Well, when kept aware of all that has been gained in recovery, we can be resolute in that it is not worth throwing it all away by taking another drink or getting another fix.
With that, here is my gratitude list for today . . .
Chappy's Gratitude List -- 11/25/21
One more Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's house before she moves to warmer climes.
All of the people who have helped me in recovery: my wife, friends, family, doctors, counselors, therapists, my sponsor, and the list goes on . . .
That my Wake Forest Demon Deacons can go to the ACC Championship with a win over BC on Saturday (not EVERYTHING needs to be profound!). GO DEACS!
That I have entered a profession where I get to help people. This is an incredible gift I have been given. It is not always easy, but it is gratifying.
That you read this blog post (Yes, I'm projecting, but SOMEONE'S got to read it, right?).
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I truly hope you have much for which to be thankful.
-Chappy
Komentar