Gratitude in Addiction Recovery

Thanksgiving always reminds us of gratitude. Gratitude in addiction recovery is a topic we talk about on an ongoing basis as one of the main principles of recovery. The idea behind the principle of gratitude is that recognizing the things for which we should be grateful is more mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy than obsessing over the negatives. In recovery it’s easy to fall into the trap of self pity, poor me, oh why did this happen to me? In reality, recovery from addiction opens up a new world.

Back in the 80s when I started working in the treatment field it was common for people working in the field to be in recovery from addiction. Recovering addicts could relate to the addict coming into treatment and could reach them when others couldn’t. This is how I got into treatment, through my own recovery. I now realize that counselors who aren’t in recovery can be as effective as a recovering addict, but both have strength and weaknesses, all training being equal. I say all this just to write personally about gratitude.

Before I got into recovery, I was lost. I had reached a point where life was meaningless. I felt dead inside and even when I drank alcohol all I felt was some blah sense of “normal” — the “good times” had disappeared a long time before I sought treatment. I had known deep down  for a long time that I had a problem with alcohol, but thought I could handle it myself. I thought I could regulate my drinking if I tried hard enough. Nothing worked. I kept drinking more than I intended to on most occasions. The hangovers got worse. The relationships with my family and friends got worse. They tried to understand, but from their perspective drinking was more important to me than the relationships. I couldn’t argue with them. I couldn’t deny my alcoholism any longer and I sought help.

After being in recovery for a while, my mind cleared up and my emotions returned. Sometimes the emotions were confusing and chaotic, but I talked to people in my support group and made it through without drinking or using any other substitute drug. The desire to create a better life returned and my relationships improved a 1000%. Clarity of mind was the one of the things in the beginning for which I was grateful, but there were many things. I could have fun again with my wife and kids — I could be a friend — I could recreate again and enjoy the little things I had forgotten about in my alcohol fog. My job performance improved immensely and finances were no longer a daily worry. Spiritually, meaning and purpose returned and I started working with other alcoholics who were reaching out for help.

Thanksgiving has a special meaning for me. Gratitude in addiction recovery is very important. I hope I never forget all the things for which I should be grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!