The disease of addiction / alcoholism causes major problems, not only in the life of the person with the affliction, but also in the lives of everyone around him or her. In addition to health, legal and financial problems, this cunning and insidious illness causes a sort of vacuum, leaving everyone in its path feeling emotionally and spiritually bankrupt.
Most addicts and alcoholics will tell you they entered recovery because they were “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” This is a popular phrase in the rooms of 12-step programs all over the world. The inability to stop the cycle of addiction is an exhausting experience, one that causes hopelessness, manageability and a host of other negative consequences for addicts / alcoholics and those who love them. Even in the face of these consequences, someone with a substance abuse problem will continue to drink or drug until they are completely broke, busted and disgusted.
Are you a drug addict or has your alcoholism taken over your life?
Have you become painfully aware that you are not okay inside, but unable to do anything about it? Can you relate to being sick and tired of being sick and tired? If you answered yes to any of these questions, keep reading.
In spite of every desire and effort to quit, most people caught in the grips of an addiction are unable to stop on their own. This is called powerlessness. It doesn’t matter if you are hooked on marijuana, crack, heroin or alcohol, breaking an addiction by willpower alone is simply impossible for someone with this disease. When mind-altering substances are introduced into the body of someone who is predisposed to becoming physically and psychologically dependent, it’s a deadly combination.
Your inability to stop your compulsive drug or alcohol use is not a reflection of who you are, but of what you have: a disease. This is a disease of the mind, body and spirit, one that will unapologetically take everything you have and leave you with nothing……all the while convincing you that you’ve got it all under control.
Addiction / alcoholism destroys every good thing it comes into contact with.
Most of all, it will destroy the most important thing in your life –the relationship you have with yourself. If you continue to barrel ahead without abandon, rest assured, things will only get worse. Self-respect? Gone. Character? Annihilated. Integrity? Forget about it. (Let’s not forget, you’ll end up jobless, penniless and homeless). If it hasn’t happened already, the day will come when you look in the mirror and hate the person staring back –if you even recognize him or her at all.
If you are currently abusing drugs or alcohol, and have been unable to quit on your own, it might be time for you to seek professional help. After all, if you have a sincere desire to quit, and could do it without help, you would have done so already! There is no shame in getting help for your drug and alcohol problem. The shame is in staying stuck in a miserable existence when you don’t have to.
If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, reach out for help. It’s available. Once you do, and you find the freedom so many others have found in recovery, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Many individuals find support and lasting sobriety through a drug and alcohol rehab alumni program. Connecting with peers who have gone through similar experiences can provide valuable insights and encouragement during your journey to recovery. Once you do, and you find the freedom so many others have found in recovery, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
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