As we go through life, living in fear before making decisions happens often. Not uncommonly, we get stuck in the “what ifs” and wondering if we are really worth it. We wonder: What if it doesn’t work? What if we can’t do it? What if we don’t deserve a second chance? What if it isn’t worth it? There are always questions that we cannot accurately answer. So, relying on hope and intuition is going to help.
Entering treatment might bring up these questions about value and fear. Entering treatment is terrifying because of having to face all that we have been escaping through our behaviors. Facing problems and the past makes most people cringe. Scientists say we often need an excess of good to outweigh even one bad event. So, entering treatment and facing all the bad things in our lives takes a great deal of courage. However, recovery promises that good will outweigh the bad.
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4 Questions About Recovery
#1. What if Recovery Does Not Work?
You will not know whether or not treatment will work unless you try. You will surely fail in recovery if you do not first attempt recovery. Treatment is not a straight road. Recovery consists of ups and downs, as well as curves, summits, and valleys. Just because your recovery does not look perfect, does not mean it is not working. Plus, treatment and recovery are day-by-day processes. You cannot look at treatment as though in six months, all will be finished, and if you did not pass the standards you set for yourself, you failed. No, recovery and treatment are about you overcoming your problems. Addiction does not happen in one day; recovery does not happen overnight.
#2. Do You Deserve to Recover?
The short answer to this question is YES. You are valued. You deserve good things. You were born for a purpose, and that purpose is not to be miserable and in pain. You deserve to be happy. Your Higher Power believes in you and wants you to be healthy and happy. You have so many people rooting for you. Some of those people you have not even met. You are valued more than you know and have great worth to the people who love and care about you. If you asked them, they would most assuredly say you deserved recovery. However, what they believe does not always mean you believe it. Therefore, you might ask yourself if the person you want to be deserves your recovery.
#3. What If You Hate Recovery?
Recovery is not easy, and it takes courage to enter treatment or any program aimed at helping you move beyond addiction. Recovery gets easier as time passes and you keep pursuing wholeness. Withdrawal and detoxing are easy to hate, but with the strength of your Higher Power and your brothers in treatment, you can get through those hurdles and move on to finding wholeness without alcohol or other substances. The beginning of recovery is rough, but persevering gets you to the point of acceptance and self-love.
#4. How Do You Know You Are Ready for Recovery?
If you consider that your life spent using alcohol or other substances is not what you want, then the time has come to consider recovery seriously. You have made the first step in solving the problem just by admitting it. The first step of the 12-Steps in alcohol or substance abuse is admitting you have a problem and that you are powerless over it. If you recognize your problems, then you are ready for recovery.
Recovery takes time and effort. Entering treatment to start the recovery process takes beyond a small measure of courage. You are allowing somebody else into your secrets and asking for help. In today’s world, we like to think that we can manage our lives on our own. Asking for help is sometimes shamed, but reaching out is one of the strongest and most brave things a person can do.
Looking at other people and comparing yourself to them is not going to help you in treatment and recovery. You are a unique person with a unique life history that no other person can claim. Your time to enter recovery can only be determined by you. Your road to recovery can only be determined by you.
Again, recovery does not occur in a straight line. Rarely in life does anything go as expected. In recovery, you must be prepared for the unexpected. Your strength and willingness to overcome the odds will surprise you. Also, with your Higher Power, all things are possible, and you need not fear. Hope is never far away.
Recovery from alcohol or other substance abuse is a serious undertaking and is full of summits and valleys. Recovery never occurs in a straight line. However, with the persistence and courage that you have inside, recovery from addiction is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it might be time to consider recovery and treatment. At Renaissance Ranch, we offer gospel-centered and clinically driven treatment for every step of the recovery process, including detoxification and aftercare. We do not let you face recovery on your own. Reaching the point where you recognize the problems of abusing alcohol and other substances is the first step to overcoming addiction. Call us at Renaissance Ranch and take another step toward recovery. You are worth it and have come too far to give up on healing your life. Call Renaissance Ranch at (801) 308-8898 today and start your recovery now.