TOP 5 RECOVERY QUESTIONS

The Top 5 Questions About Recovery


I will never forget my first recovery meeting I went to in the 1990's. Someone I love very much "got caught" with marijuana and was required to go to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting and I went with them just for support. At the time I never considered myself as having any problem with drugs even though I had some in my pocket at the meeting!

Being in recovery for over 9 years now I debate a lot with other recovery leaders and ministers about certain questions regarding recovery, just like theologians debate biblical doctrine. When things get said that I personally don’t agree with I have learned to listen and keep an open mind in respect to others that are helping those on the path of recovering from addiction.

The first question I want to ask is

When is a person “In Recovery”?

I have heard varying answers to this question From "well it was the day I hit bottom" to "It starts in step 3" to "when I had my moment of clarity and realized I need to stop doing what I am doing" and a few more

But to put a finer point on it I think we need to explore the differences in; being in recovery as opposed to, thinking I need recovery. We also need to define the difference of; When did my journey of recovery start? As compared to being in recovery officially.

Realizing you need recovery is crucial to your hope of recovering, but realization is just the start of your journey (hopefully). Some people go for years knowing what they are doing is wrong but do nothing to change it. Some of these people come to 12 step meetings, but they are not in recovery. Don't get me wrong it is a great thing that these people are courageously making the journey to attend a recovery meeting. I know how hard it is to walk through the door when you are the required person to be there, and for the most part the people who do take this step of attending usually do "get it" and start the process of recovery. Recovery meetings are an important part of recovery but just because you attend a meeting doesn't mean you are in recovery, anymore than just attending church makes you a Christian. However being there is a crucial step to take in the journey.

So what is the answer? Quite simply; a person is in recovery when they say they are in recovery. A straightforward declaration but an important step in what it means to the outlook of the individual making the statement.

This declaration is very important and I can think of two distinct parallels to how important a declaration can be.

First look at the birth of our country as a country. We celebrate the day we declared (4th of July) our independence not the day we defeated England. On that day we took a stand as a nation that we wanted change, that we were ready for battle.

The second parallel is right out of the Holy Bible in the book of Romans when the apostle Paul talks about being saved. But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
(Rom 10:8-10)

A declaration can be the start of something extremely important.

The mindset is priceless. If we are to truly change and make it happen the words must come out of our mouth “I am in recovery”

Next week; Question 2 Can I trust the process?