One of the purest and most beautiful things to witness is a person recovering from an addiction. Too often the world does one of two things to an addict: 1. Ignore that the addiction exists which allows the addict to be consumed with no way out or a will to fight 2. Ostracize the addict creating an internal struggle with feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. World, your polarized view of addiction is causing you to miss out on watching a beautiful process unfold.
As addicts begin their recovery journey you will find that: Addicts are broken. Addicts are real. Addicts are grateful. Addicts are understanding. Addicts are accepting. World, can we use these same adjectives to describe ourselves? Because if you aren’t an addict, chances are you either don’t struggle with an addictive personality or you have not admitted to yourself that you are an addict. I personally have never struggled with addiction, but I’ve had close friends who have. I’ve learned to see the beauty in the recovery journey. I have learned to embrace the realness, ugliness, and brokenness of our worldly lives.
While I was in grad school, one of my dearest friends called me at an ungodly hour to tell me he was an alcoholic and was entering a rehab facility. It so happened that his treatment facility was in the town I was living. I watched him as he grew and accepted his addiction as part of his journey to prepare him for so much more. It just so happens that my friend became a preacher. Don’t you just love a good redemption story? Redemption is available for ALL sinners including addicts.
Are you struggling tonight with your own addiction? Are you having trouble admitting that one of your family members have a substance abuse problem? Unfortunately, time is not on your side for taking that first step. Tonight might be the night that driving while intoxicated causes a life-ending crash and the life that ends might not be yours. You may refuse to believe a person close to you has a problem and tomorrow you may find that person lifeless on the floor of their apartment. Obtain the redemption that is readily available for you or help someone realize they need that redemption. Don’t continue to live as a captive in this life. Refuse to allow the world to dictate your view of addiction. Allow God to use your (or your sister’s or son’s or wife’s or friend’s) addiction to reveal your (his/her) journey.
I understand that drugs or alcohol (or porn for that matter) have a lure over you. You believe they can fill a void in your life or provide a stress release. However, that void you are trying to fill will NEVER be filled with things of this world. There is only one who can set you free from the need to saturate yourself with the evils of this world. God! He can give you the courage to admit you have a problem. Once you do that, your love journey will begin. You can begin to truly love yourself and that love will then flow to those people surrounding you.
There are people in this world who will condemn you for your addiction. However, there are people like me who will celebrate you and your journey. There are people who will love you through the ugly and celebrate with you through the triumphs.
I understand the hold an addiction can have over a person. I have watched as people ignored their family. I have watched as people stole from their friends. I, personally, have been cussed out in my front yard by someone who I thought loved me unconditionally. And you know what she does love me unconditionally, but her addiction has stripped her of her identity and ability to recognize how damaging her actions really are.
Addicts, do me a favor…stop blaming others. Admit that you have a problem. Find the help you need to end your dependence.
World, do me a favor …stop ignoring and ostracizing the addict. Believe in the recovery process because that process begins something pure and beautiful, and it will provide breath where once there was nothing.
Here’s a link to a hotline if you find yourself needing to connect with someone about your addiction tonight: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Message me or a friend or a relative if you need someone to talk with. I may not be a professional addiction specialist, but I am a believer that God provides just the right people in our lives for just the right moments.
Addicts…I love you! World…I love you! God…I love you the most!!
