Are you ready for your family to find a positive recovery?
Are you looking to live a more peaceful existence?
Positive recovery can mean changing some of your habits that aren’t working so well and creating new ones that enhance your life.
It can also mean taking care of yourself so that you are better supporting your child who is struggling with substances.
Many have found recovery and gone to live a life filled with inner peace, which really makes day-to-day living so much easier.
It seems like many of those in recovery are invisible. However, here are four incredible authors who found recovery in their own unique way. They have not only let go of habits that no longer serve them, but they have also gone on to live amazing lives and share their gifts with others.
Most of all, by having the courage to share their past, they are a beacon of hope to those who are struggling with addiction.
Practice your priority
Rolf Gates is a yoga teacher from Santa Cruz, California, and has written a beautiful book of daily reflection on the path of yoga. His book, Meditations from the Mat, Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, inspires and provides spiritual guidance as he discovers and explains yoga’s beauty.
Rolf writes, “My very first practice was abstinence from alcohol through the use of the twelve steps. When I was about two years into that practice, a woman asked me what I wanted in life.
I told her that in twenty-five years, I wanted to be twenty-seven years sober. She told me that if I continued to feel that way, it would probably come to pass.
Abhyasa, or practice, is really about making something a priority. As we enact that priority, energy builds in our life to support it.”
Don’t let the past steal your present.” ~Terri Guillemets
Creativity can help positive recovery.
Julia Cameron is the author of The Artist’s Way, A Spiritual Path of Higher Creativity.
The book reached the top 10 bestseller list after selling millions of copies worldwide. This is the book from where the infamous “morning pages” originate and what Julia calls the primary creative recovery tool.
“In 1978, in January, I stopped drinking. I had never thought drinking made me a writer, but now I suddenly thought not drinking might make me stop. In my mind, drinking and writing went together like, well, scotch and soda.
For me, the trick was always getting past the fear and onto the page. I was playing beat the clock — trying to write before the booze closed in like fog, and my window of creativity was blocked again.”
Julia’s book was the catalyst for many to have the courage to explore their creativity and follow their dreams.
“Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.” ~Sharon Salzberg
Learn to be fearless
Steve Chandler is an author who has written dozens of books, including Death Wish: The Path through Addiction to a Glorious Life.
He is a world-famous personal success coach and a nationally recognized keynote speaker.
“I was one of them—a reactor. Big time I was sick, ruined, bankrupt, addicted to drugs and alcohol, lying to everyone I knew, especially the ones closest to me.
A life of fear and more fear. The best I could ever feel, on my best day, was just worried. I was often okay with being worried.
It was better than being flat-out terrified. But the terror would always return. And the pink cloud period of constant worry never lasted.
A recovery program saved my life.
Then, from there, I had the stunning privilege of learning to live freely.”
“No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.” ~George Chakiris
Talk about your shame.
Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She has written several best-selling books, her latest being Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.
Brené says that we can change our relationships and the way we live if we can find the courage to talk about shame and its effect on our lives.
“I started to get a clearer understanding of my own social dependence on alcohol. I quit drinking and smoking in 1996, the weekend I graduated with my master’s degree in social work. I was lucky. I had the information and tools to make that choice and found the support I needed to put down the sword and shield. I consider my journey in recovery to be one of the greatest gifts in my life.”
Many have found the gift of positive recovery. With the power of our collective voices, may we begin to let go of the stigma of our past and share the truth that recovery works?
What positive changes have you discovered in yourself or a loved one? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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I do get the sense that recovery from addiction, particularly when it’s done in the context of a group that’s devoted to that process like AA, transforms people’s general attitude toward life in a way that would be useful to everyone, including “non-addicts.” My men’s group, for instance, does not specifically relate to addiction, but in my opinion is heavily influenced by organizations like AA and their emphasis on honesty and humility.
Hi Chris,
I do believe that the philosophy and teachings of AA would be helpful to anyone. So many in my group from Al-Alon have said that they wish that all of us, including our children could have learned the 12 Step principles at an early age. It would make a big difference on how many approach life. Wonderful wisdom in those rooms! Take care!
Great point, Chris. And spot on. I attended The Clearing on San Juan Island in Washington without an addiction. Their program and breakthrough approach reinforces principles we all can learn to lead more contented lives from an early age. It should be taught in schools: Emotional Intelligence & Health, (it’s ok to have and work through those feelings) Mindfulness, and the springboard: Regular Face to Face connection–which as a parent I see is slipping away from our social repertoire. Stigmas surrounding the honesty you state need to be countered by the open expression of our commonality of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Well done, my friend.
You have such fascinating stories Cathy. For someone like me, with no family or friends addicted…at least not to harmful substances….it’s such an insight into the courage and boldness it takes to walk the path of recovery every single solitary day.
It’s truly awesome and I’m grateful to have you share your experiences and those of others. You are an amazing Encourager.
Love Elle
xoxo
Hi Elle,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope I am an Encourager! I love how you remind us to encourage each other. Support from others is what we all need to make the changes that will make our lives better. Take care.
Years ago, I urged a friend to seek help for what I saw as a dependence on alcohol. I went with her to the counselor who would conduct an evaluation. The counselor asked me to take the test as well and I agreed. I felt smug because I had no addiction to alcohol or drugs. Imagine my shock when she told me afterwards that it was a good thing I didn’t drink or do drugs because I had a highly addictive personality! That was humbling. In the years since, I can certainly see the truth of what she said to me. For me, recovery has meant changing some self-destructive habits that kept me entangled in situations and with people that were not healthy for me. As you point out, recovery can look different for different people.
Hi Galen,
That is interesting and so empowering that you were able to learn this information about yourself. How wise that the counselor had you take the evaluation as well. Many of us do have addictive personalities, and we only need that trigger to send us down the road to addiction. Recovery is a personal experience for each individual. As most of us know, addiction can come in many forms from drugs and alcohol, to gambling, shopping, food, or sex as well as many others lesser known addictions. It is so helpful to do the inner work so that we understand ourselves and our vulnerabilities. Thanks so sharing your experience.
Hi Galen
Can you please give me some information to find this test you referred to to find out whether I have a highly addictive personality or not. Thank you.
Hi Cathy,
My recovery from addiction began at 24, and it was a difficult and scary time, not helped by the fact that I was very angry at having to give up alcohol and drugs. I did see the necessity, though, and can relate to the quote above, from Rolf Gates about making something a priority. To get through the first two years I basically shut down almost everything else in my life and made the decision to claw my way through, no matter what. It wasn’t pretty, but I made it through the turbulence of early recovery. From there things slowly started to open out, and I live a life now that is completely ordinary, but also something I never dreamed I could have. Years later, the thing I remember most is the people who sat with me, and told me they believed in me, at a time when I could barely sit in my own skin. In hindsight, it’s obvious I wouldn’t have got there alone and I’m so grateful for the people who were willing to support me through that time.
Hi Dave,
Congrats to you that you have maintained long term recovery and found a life that may be even beyond your expectations. I have such respect for people like yourself that have the discipline to keep their sobriety the most important thing in their life. It is the core of what holds your life all together. Age 24 is so young. My daughter was 19. It take courage and determination to live the life you were meant to live.
That is so great that you found a support system to help. It certainly can make all the difference. Thanks
for stopping by!
This is a great post. Thank you for sharing your experiences and recovery. This is so important for many people who suffer. It also enlightens those of us who need to learn and understand the addiction so that we may be better for those around us who need our help and support. Great work.
Hi Barbara,
Great point about the importance for all of us to be enlightened so that we can be supportive to those that need our help. The more we all know about the disease of addiction will benefit all of us, as it is a societal problem. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love this thought: “Recovery can mean letting go of your bad habits and creating new ones.” It makes me feel like recovery is possible, not some unsurmountable wall, if you only see it as a letting go of one habit and replacing it with a healthier one. Thanks for the book recommendations too. The only one I’ve read out of these is Julia Cameron’s so have added the rest to my list.
Hi Helena,
Recovery is very doable. Taking one small step at a time can begin the process of starting your life again and being able to live the life that you were meant to. I have enjoyed all the books, and would highly recommend them. There is hope of anyone!
This is a wonderful post, Cathy – you’ve provided so many great suggestions and success stories – it makes recovery seem very possible. I especially liked this one, “Learn to be Fearless.” That was the key for my own recovery from the chronic stress of living with loved ones with addictions. As Steve Chandler wrote, “…A life of fear and more fear. The best I could ever feel, on my best day, was just worried.”
Hi Lisa,
I have never felt such fear as when addiction was active in my family. You life goes on hold until you can come to grips with it. Constant worry is detrimental to anyone and addiction can go for a longer period of time than we expect sometimes. That is why for families, especially parents learning coping techniques is so important. Thanks – take care.
There are so many types of addictions. Some areas is like forging through a new frontier. I do believe using the steps already proven to be successful can be modified for any addiction. Great post.
Hi Forrest,
Welcome! There are definitely methods and philosophies that have been successful and carry over not only to addictions, but can be applied to everyday living. Each person’s experience is different, so finding the recovery program that feels most comfortable can go a long way to long term recovery. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for a great post, Cathy. I really like that you quoted others and gave us new titles for our own resource list!
Hi Meryl,
Great! I do recommend the books and hope you enjoy them. Take care.
What an inspirational post! It really gets the message across that it is possible to recover from addiction whether you’re the family or the addict.
Thank you Cathy for all you do in sharing the positives as well as the negatives of addiction.
Thanks Carolyn!
Loved the collection of books here Cathy!
Yes indeed, addiction and the other issues are more prevalent at your end and so the recovery also needs to accompany it to avoid it getting out of hand or to stop it before it gets worse. I guess we are a little safer in our country because the parents still keep a look out for their kids and teens, and they have a say in most cases. But with changing times, things are slowly becoming more like the U.S. in some of the cities. For me recovery would be overcome all those addictions, even if it takes time.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Harleena,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I know that addiction is worldwide, but it definitely does affect some countries more than others. The books can be helpful for anyone, however particularly helpful when you are overcoming challenges.
You mentioned some of my favorite inspirational books that “live” front and center on my book case. The most important one to me early on, while trying to really let my self KNOW my truth was The Artist’s Way. The title is deceiving. I almost didn’t pick it up because I wondered, was I an artist? Well, I wanted to be or thought I was once when I was a child. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick it up and I’ve used it on and off for 12 years. WE ARE ALL CREATIVE BEINGS. I now share its teachings with others. The process is SIMPLE. Write in longhand 3 binder sheets of notebook paper a day: a stream of conscious, no worries about punctuation, capitalization, run on sentences, spelling); just 3 sides, a front, a back and a front page. Day after day of “Morning Pages” for 12 weeks allowed me to take the next step and IDENTIFY that I really did have a problem with alcohol. July 13th I’ll have 11 years. This past decade I pursued my love of drawing, writing, creative movement and performance and I get to use what I’ve learned and my passion to help others who are struggling with drug abuse/addictive behaviors.
Recovery for me is process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life and strive to reach their full potential. Thank you for your share, Cathy and the opportunity to share back.
I love The Artist’s Way as well. I haven’t always considered myself a creative person, because my art ability leaves something to be desired, yet when I read the book, I realized I can be a creative being and just need to foster it, which has been fun. The morning pages suggestion was what started me journaling as well and I’ve filled up a number of journals through the years.
Congrats to you on your 11 years of recovery! That is amazing Shelley. You are such an amazing person and a lively spirit, it has been great connecting with you. Hugs!
I lost my son due to an overdose of drugs. He was my only child. How can a mother carry on with her life when she lost her child. He was everything in my life. I tried my utmost best to cure, to protect to fix, but I failed. I will never be the same without him. My heart is broken for life. I miss him……I love him………forever.
Hi Lucy,
I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and it is so unfortunate that this has happened. I hope that with time, life will get a little easier. Two group that are helpful are GRASP, http://grasphelp.org/ and The Compassionate Friends at http://www.compassionatefriends.org/.
Do reach out to get help in whatever way works for you. Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Know that you did not fail your son. I’m sure you did the best you could to help him. I wish you all the best going forward. Sending love.
Recovery should not be considered a miraCLE BUT RATHER AN EVERYDAY HAPPENING
Hi Bill,
Appreciate your comment. That is a good point. Thanks!