There are a million rules about how to get your pages to rank on Google. SEO, keywords, and a long list of things that I won’t be doing in this post. This is not about ranking or traffic or...
There are a million rules about how to get your pages to rank on Google. SEO, keywords, and a long list of things that I won’t be doing in this post. This is not about ranking or traffic or anything other than reaching out and hoping that you find this post when you need to.
This is a letter to tell you how I really feel about everyone in recovery.
The Honest Truth
I spend my days working with individuals recovering from addiction and mental health. In other words, I spend a lot of time around people fighting through some of the darkest times of their life. When I started in this career I thought that nothing would phase me. After all, I’ve been there myself, I know what it’s like to be on the other side of that impossible climb called recovery.
I’ve been locked up, lived on the streets, lost people close to me, the whole nine yards. I should be able to deal with hearing the stories of people at their worst.
I was wrong
Oh, how I was wrong. So, I don’t mean that it is making my own recovery harder, or that it makes me want to run out and do something stupid. What I mean, is that I didn’t realize how much it would hurt to see people fall.
First Things First
Let me start by saying, I believe in everyone. Everyone reading this, everyone I have worked with, and everyone who is struggling to turn their life around. I don’t believe there is a single person who isn’t capable of being sober.
This is partly because of my own story. I know how bad I was when I was in the depths of my addiction. In fact, at one point, I had absolutely, 100% convinced myself that I couldn’t deal with life. At least not without having some kind of substance running through my veins.
I had literally given up and decided that I was probably going to die of an overdose somewhere in an ally. The worst part, I was ok with that. The thought of being a responsible adult, who went to work and had a “normal” life, was as much a dream as having lunch on the moon with Russel Brand. In other words, it wasn’t going to happen…
Until it did.
I realized something along the way. If I can get sober, then there is hope for even the most desperate cases. More than that, I believe in the human spirit and its capacity to overcome even the worst of situations. That is not to say it’s easy. But is it possible?
Yes. I am absolutely, 100% sure of that.
I have met some truly amazing people and watched them come into their authentic selves. Often times they start off wanting nothing to do with recovery. They have a look on their face that says “This is f-ing ridiculous and you guys and f-ing crazy”
Time passes and the same people who originally were fighting the idea of change end up being the biggest advocates. It really is something amazing to watch. Moreover, being part of that change is an honor. However, this is also what makes it so hard.
It Always Hurts
The hardest part of his job is seeing some of those same people, good people, lose their footing. Believe me, I understand that relapse is part of recovery. I have been there myself multiple times. However, now that I am sober and on the other side of the line, for some reason it affects me differently.
In fact, I kind of think that is the reason why.
Watching someone fall back into the chaos of addiction after seeing how much potential they have to do amazing things begins to take a toll. The worst part, some of them never make it back.
What You Need To Know
As I said before, I believe that everyone is capable of living a sober life. More than that, I believe everyone is capable of living a life they can be proud of. In other words, this means you.
I may not know you, but I know this is true. And for those who have crossed my path, I hope you know I still think about you and wish you the best.
It may be cheesy to say, but I really do believe we are all in this together. I don’t just mean people in recovery but human beings as a whole. We are increasingly becoming more and more isolated from one another and maybe that’s the problem.
Coming Together As A Community
As human beings, we are wired for connection. When we can’t find it, we will substitute that connection with unhealthy alternatives.
Coming together as a community, not just of recovering alcoholics and addicts, not just as survivors of trauma, but as a people.
This is the road to health and wellbeing.
With that in mind, make sure you have someone to talk to. If you’re struggling, if you’re stressed out, if you’re next step is to take a drink, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s someone close to you or a complete stranger, connection is what gets us through.
For Those I've Met
You’re path to recovery will be lined with victories as well as setbacks, don’t get too attached to either. Remember to stay in the present and to live life intentionally. At the end of the day, your values and your resilience are always there to guide you.
I hope to see you one day and you can tell me the stories, until then… You know where to find me.
About The Author
Elijah M'aidez is a Certified Peer Specialist, SMART Recovery Facilitator, and CBT coach practitioner. He has years of experience practicing mindfulness meditation and is currently working on getting his Master's Degree in Social work. He hopes to bring more awareness to mental health and addiction while empowering those suffering to find a better life in recovery.
