The decision to seek help is the single greatest decision we have made in our lives. Many of us were averse to reaching out for help because it meant we had to open up about our problems with drugs and alcohol or address shameful behavior that we would rather ignore. We soon realized that reaching out for help was a necessity. It allowed us to feel good about ourselves for the first time in our lives. In recovery, we should carry that willingness to ask for help when needed into our daily lives. Refusing to ask for help and deciding to handle all of our problems on our own only hurts us. The decision not to seek help may momentarily allow us to keep our egos intact, but ultimately results in mental and emotional turmoil. Gregg Levoy, in a 2016 Psychology Today article entitled The Power of Asking For Help, explains, “The refusal to ask for help is a kind of arrogance, a blind insistence on doing it all by yourself no matter what, because along with it comes the message that no one’s help is worth the price in vulnerability it will cost you, that ultimately no one can console you or ease your pain, and no one is that strong if you yourself aren’t. Such cussedness betrays a tremendous lack of faith in others, in the tensile strength of love and friendship, and in your own ability to survive embarrassment. Resourceful people, however, gather their resources and join forces.” Letting go of our ego is central to healthy recovery. As we progress in our recovery, we will find others who are willing to give their time to helping us. In turn, we give our time to helping them when asked. Russell Brand, in his book Recovery, explains, that he would often act out on feeling of agitation, fearfulness, or confusion in unproductive ways. He explains, “Now that I have made a decision not to live that life, I have to recommit to it every time I encounter an event that triggers my old way of thinking. This happens more than you might think, or notice; it happens to me all the time. I rely on the support of other people who work 12 Step programs. So when I get a troubling email and the accompanying troubling feeling, I call someone and ask for help.” The simple act of reaching out and asking for help when we need it is an act of selflessness. It shows that we have enough faith in others that we can count on them to help guide us through troubling situations, and we can return the favor when needed.
Your story doesn’t have to be one of loneliness and isolation as a result of addiction. You can make the courageous decision to seek help now and begin building a brighter future. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, was founded with the goal of providing the best care and service possible, at an affordable price, and in a location where people would want to get well. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
