We used drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with the discomfort of the outside world. Rarely could we enter into any social situation without being under the influence of substances. We felt safe and protected in a cloud of intoxication. Eventually, however, we found ourselves isolating and entirely unable to face the outside world as a result of our addiction and alcoholism. Recovery is a time for us to get outside of the comfort zone we created and put ourselves in new situations that, although uncomfortable at the moment, aid us in our spiritual growth and personal development. Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God, once said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” As men and women suffering from the disease of addiction, our lives we controlled by fear. As a result of our fears, we could not face life successfully. Instead, we found comfort in a haze of intoxication and relied on substances to keep us from having to face the world. Our quality of life suffered to the point where we were no longer actively engaging with anything around us. Recovery is a time to change our ways of thinking about situation, and begin putting ourselves into the kinds of situations that we were actively avoiding when we were slaves to our addictions. Through recovery programs, we engage in a process of thorough self-examination and attempt to correct the harms we have caused in our past. We gain an understanding of why we are so afraid of facing the world without the crutch of drugs and alcohol. According to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, through this process, “The feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.” Certainly, will we still face many frightening situations, but through our recovery program we have developed new coping skills and a new sense of faith that we will be able to successfully handle any situation that comes our way without relying on substances.
The false comfort of intoxication doesn’t have to be a part of your story any longer. You can overcome your fears by seeking help now for addiction and alcoholism. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment center in beautiful Laguna Beach, offers the opportunity to achieve sobriety in a serene and peaceful beachfront environment. For more information about treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
