Lemony Snicket once said, “The sad truth is that the truth is usually sad”. A bit of a cynical statement but validity behind it cannot be argued. In many cases people are quick to see things they want to and not from the perspective of another. We all see and process things in our own way and sometimes struggle to understand that our opinions are not absolute. Every individual on this planet has a particular way they go about their business and a particular way they choose to see life. It can be of much difficulty to keep such an open mindset and learn in ways that we are not used to or even comfortable with.
Of all the tools we develop throughout this short lifespan or ours, acceptance is one of the most important. Learning to accept life’s trials and tribulations that come our way is one of great measurement. Everyday there are going to be things that happen to us that are entirely out of our control, but the big contingent factor of all is how we deal with it. That sums of life a large chunk of life right there. Most of our lives are a fraction of what happens to us, and the large majority of it is how we react to it. When things work out in our favor and everything tends to go our way, we aren’t thinking about acceptance but more so just taking everything as it is. It’s when something doesn’t go our way and we become frustrated or inconvenienced, this is when we have to learn to take life on life’s terms. Accepting that one has a problem with addiction is a tough pill to swallow. We are never entirely prepared for the sharp reality of it to hit when it actually does.
Learning to Deal
Step one of Alcoholics Anonymous states, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable”. Mind you that alcohol can be switched out with many other substances or addictions. That first step broken down can really flip a switch in some people’s heads. Speaking from personal experience, I knew I was an addict nearly 10 years before I actually entered recovery. Deep down on the inside I was aware of my mannerisms and alcoholic tendencies but wasn’t ready to do anything about it. The life of misery and misfortune was still enough to lure me into the ever descending depths of insanity. The admitting it part wasn’t so much the issue in this case, but it was the more so “being ready”. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all to mention there was a problem. The hardest thing was to accept what I had admitted and to proclaim there was a problem and I needed to do something about it as quickly as possible. It took getting to the point of admitting aloud to others that my life was unmanageable and I needed to make some dire changes.
Often times people have speculation of themselves or a loved one struggling but are in denial about it. For one, a large percentage of our human population has a misconception of what a drug addict or alcoholic looks like and become caught off guard when one shows up right in front of their very own eyes. No it’s not always the homeless man under the bridge or the bank robber trying to support his habit. Frequently we find ourselves walking downtown and staring into the eyes of an alcoholic. It can be the well dressed business man, the soccer mom, or little Tina across the street that babysits the children every now and then. Anybody of any age, race, gender, sex, religion or creed can find themselves face to face in a problem with addiction.
When the facts are laid out in front of our very own eyes, it can be a little harder to deny there is a problem. Is the drug/alcohol use affecting my health? Am I missing school, work, or other imperative appointment matters because of it? Is it causing stress or relieving it? Does the idea of being without substances worry me? These are all thoughts to take into account when facing the reality of one’s situation. Denying crucial matters like this can be our downfall. In a sense, when we constantly deny, all we are doing is lying to ourselves in some form or another. Call it justifications, minimizing, rationalizing- it doesn’t matter. In the end, were pretending something isn’t true or fact usually because it makes us uncomfortable in a sense. It our minds trying to protect us subconsciously but in the long run were only making things worse for ourselves by living in a false reality. The truth is where we separate reality and imagination.
Acceptance is one thing but this is acceptance of a problem with addiction. This acceptance brings us back to the beginning statement of trying to look at a harsh reality we aren’t very fond of. Indeed addiction is a tale of misfortune, but the power lies solely within the perpetrator. Human beings are the products of our own decisions and can pick and choose are misfortunes and joys as time unravels. Accepting there is a problem is better done sooner than later. Deciding there is a problem and being ready to do something about it shows an open minded willingness for change. Being open to change and all of “the new” is a great way of procuring acceptance in your life. Once the mind is opened to “what is”, the possibilities of “what can be” open up tenfold as changes takes its stance in your life. Trying a new outlook on things might be what it takes to make that difference in your general well being.
The Sign of Times
Having to accept something you don’t like can put anybody’s feathers in a ruffle. Addiction and alcoholism don’t give you a choice. They force you to take the facts as they come and there isn’t a pause button to this movie. If you or a loved one has been struggling with getting a firm grasp on sobriety and need detoxification, please call 1-877-978-3125 or visit www.coastaldetox.com. Our teams of specialists are waiting by to help figure out what options are best for sending your life is a comfortable direction that you can proudly stand behind.