When you free yourself from the burden of substance use, you make room for the greatest pleasures that life can offer. Finding peace after addiction is a journey, but it’s well worth the effort. If you believe that you can’t live substance-free, then consider the fact that drugs and alcohol might be the source of your problems rather than the solution to them. One brief anecdote perfectly illustrates this crucial lesson…
The Cobra Effect
When the British controlled colonial India, the governor faced an emergency in Delhi. The territory was overrun by cobras, and the snakes were posing a fatal threat to all Delhi’s inhabitants. So, the governor of the territory issued a bounty on cobras to control the venomous population. Though this was seemingly a reasonable solution to Delhi’s cobra problem, the bounty turned into a money-making scheme for scrupulous hucksters, who began farming cobras to cash in on the reward. The British caught on, the bounty was canceled, and the cobra farmers released their snakes. As a result, the cobra population in Delhi soared beyond pre-bounty levels. The British governor learned the hard way that the prescription can be worse than the cure. This story is used to describe what is known as the “Cobra Effect,” when solutions make problems even worse.
Substances Are an Obstacle to Peace
The Cobra Effect is a perfect metaphor for addiction. People with substance use disorders are often dealing with deep underlying issues – depression, anxiety or trauma. They turn to drugs and alcohol to find peace, but in doing so, they only worsen their problems. In recovery, you learn that a substance-free life is the only way to find true inner peace. There’s never a moment when all the past trauma, depression or anxiety are completely overcome. Recovery is a process, one that demands revisiting what you value and why addiction only made life more difficult. There are several lessons you will learn in your journey of recovery…
Surrendering to a Higher Power
Spirituality is undoubtedly one of the most transformative parts of many people’s recovery. Some seek a Higher Power through a specific religious faith, while others surrender to their own interpretation of a Higher Power. Whatever path you choose, taking comfort in the presence of something bigger than yourself leads to a life-changing spiritual awakening. This discovery provides firm ground on which your quest for peace can begin.
Being Present with Others
Pain, suffering and addiction all disconnect you from experiencing the present moment. When you leave the past behind and stop obsessing about an unknown future, you become free to live in the moment. Presence allows you to connect with others and truly enjoy experiences. You can work on being present through mindfulness, meditation, creative pursuits and many other tools you learn through treatment. This is one of the most powerful ways of finding peace after addiction.
Accepting Who You Are
From an early age, people create their own image of what it means to be successful or to be a good person. Everyone falls short of their own standards, especially people suffering from addiction. In recovery, you learn to accept your shortcomings and forgive yourself for your mistakes. Your mistakes don’t need to define you, but they can provide valuable lessons if you use them to become a better version of yourself. This acceptance is essential to finding serenity in your personal life.
Discovering Rewarding Pursuits
Addiction consumes your time and energy. When you begin recovery, you give yourself the chance to find engaging ways to spend your time. Through these activities, you find meaning in unexpected places, and you silence the unhelpful critic in your mind. Some people take up creative pursuits. Others discover the benefits of physical activity. In many cases, a combination of several interests provides a way to learn more about who you are and what you can achieve without carrying the weight of an addiction.
Finding Peace After Addiction by Learning What Works (And What Doesn’t)
Recovery gives you the opportunity to find peace after an addiction. When you inevitably encounter hardships, you must remind yourself that substances made a good life impossible. Substance use is a short-term solution to a long-term problem, and it fails spectacularly on every level. If you want peace in your own life, consider what awaits you on the other side of addiction. Recovery isn’t easy work, but it is the only way to embrace who you are and make true progress in life. Serenity comes from acceptance, and acceptance is a pillar of a successful recovery program.
Contact BRC Recovery to Learn More About Taking the First Step
Some people believe that they are beyond help. At BRC Recovery, we know that finding peace after addiction is possible for everyone who wants it. We work with clients who think they are treatment-resistant, and we can assure you that you aren’t beyond help. If you’d like to learn more about our services, we encourage you to call us today at 1-866-461-1759.