On Powerlessness in the Lives of Alcoholics and Addicts

“At a certain point in the drinking of every alcoholic, he passes into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is of absolutely no avail.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 24.

This is Powerlessness.

Our souls beg us to cut out the drinking.  There is attempt after attempt to engage our will to halt the madness of the drink and no matter how hard we try, we cannot.  The body sends signals that the drinking isn’t doing what it initially did; the mind, fully conscious that nothing but misery is at the bottom of every glass, is incapable of overriding this burning need.  Even feeling all of these feelings and intrinsically knowing that all of these more-than-obvious clues scream STOP, we continue to imbibe.  We gamble our very lives, and as we lose over and over, we watch, almost as outsiders, any and everything loved and cared for slip away.  It still isn’t enough.  We plead with ourselves; we make promises, fully meaning them at the time; we swear on all that we have or don’t have and yet, we cannot stop.

Why is this?  It’s the allergy of the body which is triggered by the drink itself and subsequently it ensnares our mind causing an obsession that overrides EVERYTHING else and that, in turn, relies on and continues our spiritual bankruptcy.  It is a threefold catch 22, which is the disease of alcoholism.  And, our very starting point is our Powerlessness over alcohol.

In early Recovery, this first half of the first step can be difficult to grasp, to truly learn how insidious this Powerlessness is.  The California alcohol rehab staff has an intimate understanding and can clarify and expound on this, going so far as to give examples of what this looks like and how it manifests.  If we don’t have a thorough comprehension, there is the possibility we may still hold to the idea that somehow, someday, we can control our drinking.  As alcoholics, we must grasp this fundamental truth.

CA Drug Rehabs Save Lives

A California drug rehabilitation center knows that being an addict is one of the hardest things a person can go through during their entire lifetime. But, seeking treatment to come out of it sober and healthy can seem even harder to someone who has lived this life for as long as some addicts have. Even though substance abuse has taken away part of a person’s life that they can’t get back, they can build a new one that can be better because it will be free of drugs and alcohol.

If you are thinking it is time to make the step to becoming a clean and sober person who takes control of their life, looking in to a California drug rehabilitation facility is going to give you the confidence you need to finally make the right choice. Being able to be amongst the trees, scenic mountains, far removed from the preconceived notions you might have of California and relaxing while learning how to recover from the addiction is going to help you maintain the clear and level head that you need while still reveling in the beauty you might have missed while on drugs or abusing alcohol.

When you are looking in to a California drug rehabilitation treatment center to possibly bring someone you love, the objective you have is saving their life. You have watched them spiral downward and out of control for who knows how long, and all you want is for them to get better. Having medically trained professionals on staff who have the expertise and knowledge to not only take care of your loved one physically by helping them to get off of drugs and alcohol, but also treat them mentally to prepare them for becoming productive members of your family, friends, and the society in which they want live soberly should be make a great case for why this person should check themselves in.

No matter what substances you or your loved one may have been abusing, the one universal truth about all of them is that you cannot quit alone; you need help to become healthy again. Admitting that is the first step and getting therapy in a California drug rehabilitation clinic is the second. The third and final step is to take the teachings that you have learned from everyone you encounter inside of the treatment facility and putting them in to practice in the real world.

A California rehab is the best of all worlds: a beautiful location, amazing physicians, remarkable therapists, and people just like you or your loved one who are seeking to live a life free from the chains of addiction. California rehab centers save lives; as many as they can. Every time someone enters a clinic they are given the same opportunity to live a healthy life that the last person who walked through the doors was, and the next person to come in will. What they do with it is up to them and their loved ones.

Prioritizing Sobriety

In the beginning stages of sobriety, it can be very easy to become quickly overwhelmed when faced with more than one task at a time.  To know which direction to go first can be very confusing.  As we move through our lives, while sober, we begin to learn where to place our energies and attention.

Prioritizing is a learned skill.  When the focus has been simply obtaining alcohol and/or drugs and then imbibing them, for most of us, that was the one and only priority to which we centered our attention.  Our lives were solely propelled by our addictions.  We needed nothing more than the substance(s) to which we were beholden.

Now, as we begin rebuilding our lives, we have tasks to accomplish; there is have work to be done; activities in which to participate, etc.  We begin to live our lives, lives that extend far past just the drink and/or the drug(s).  Learning what needs to happen in what order can be confusing, overwhelming even.

Thankfully, at this California alcohol rehabilitation center, the staff helps us learn how to build our day.  We are given a schedule and that schedule then becomes the outline by which we see what needs to happen when during the course of each day.  As we transition from living in a drug rehab in Los Angeles, to living in our respective environments, be it our own home or a shared sober living program, we have to learn and eventually know how to structure our day.  If we need help knowing what to do when, we learn to ask for guidance.  We do not have to become paralyzed by the prospect of more than one thing to do at one time.

What comes first in preparing for the day?  If we make our bed every morning, many times the rest of the day falls into place.

No Human Power…

“That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 60

With reading the above mentioned statement, we may not entirely grasp the gravity of its suggestion.  Many times, in a California alcohol rehab, we may put the counselor or therapist to whom we feel the most connected on a pedestal.  Perhaps after leaving this rehab, we begin to refocus our attention from the counselor/therapist to our sponsor, assuming we are working with one.  If not our sponsor, maybe we put the onus of our belief of that power greater than ourselves on another person, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, public figure, etc.

This is a definitive problem and can further the concept of having a lack of power.  As we attempt to rely on others, we find that, invariably, the human condition, which includes the inevitable mistakes and whatnot, is not a stable and reliable source for us.  We find this direction, if we attempt it, isn’t the best within where to reach/attach our faith.

It may be a struggle to come to the notion that we cannot rely upon others as an insurance policy against our drinking and/or using.  With everything we hear about working with others, being available, being of service, it can be, especially in early sobriety, confusing as to where we are to place our firm assurances.

When we rely on others for our sobriety, we are setting ourselves and the other person up for failure and for the possibility of him or her building a large resentment toward us or, conversely a resentment from us toward the person with whom we want to believe will save us and/or keep us sober.  When that other person doesn’t act, behave, give, respond, in the way we need, this can be used as our impetus to drink and/or use, before we have a spiritual foundation on which to stand.  This can, given resentments are our number one offender, propel us toward taking a drink and, therefore, quite possibly drive us straight through the gateway of misery into the waiting arms of death.

In order for us to follow the well-worn path to success in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous using the design for living provided for us in the The Big Book, it is strongly suggested we find a power great than ourselves and that power may very well need to come in the form of a burgeoning concept of our Higher Power. This is to be a power greater than ourselves and that does not mean another living being or inanimate object, as people can let us down and material items can get lost and/or break.  We are not saviors for others, as they cannot be for us, & just as we cannot, of our own will, save ourselves.

Newly Sober and the Distractions of New Relationships

In the beginning of our sobriety we may hear others suggest holding off on starting any new, romantic relationships.  More often than not, we hear that we should wait at least a year before pursuing partnering with someone new.  There is nothing in the Big Book of Alcoholics directly suggesting that concept.  However, it is not always the worst idea to heed.

As we start what might be a painful process of self-examination; the what, where, how and who we are at the start of this journey, the idea of a distraction can be very attractive.  In addition, the good feelings and validation we could receive in our heightened vulnerable state can be, for lack of a better word, or perhaps this is the perfect word, intoxicating.

How many times have we turned the spotlight toward someone we found appealing?  Subsequently we spent our time focusing, maybe even obsessing on the other person, rather than having our energies, attention and drive be targeted toward our true goal, which is learning how to live a decent, healthy life.

It is easy to be swayed by the prospect of engaging in diverting our attention from the truth of our current state.  Perhaps, for most of us, it is best to remain aware of our inability to be truly available in such an early phase of our sobriety.  In such a vulnerable and, potentially, lost position in the world, anyone or anything else can easily influence our fragile attention.  We have forgone our coping device, be it alcohol or drugs or both, and what better way to feel wanted, comforted, and pleasured than by being bewitched with the idea of someone else paying attention to us.

As it stands, there are relationships that have started in early sobriety that have, in fact, worked beautifully for people however those are a very minute percentage.  This is the time for us to focus on ourselves while getting our feet somewhat planted beneath us.  This can be very difficult if we are wooed away by the fantasy of another, an infatuation in our most vulnerable state leaves us unable to accomplish the true task-at-hand.

Winning the Confidence of Another Alcoholic

“But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours.  Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished.” – The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 18

This Los Angeles rehab is primed to help those who are looking to move forward, out of the alcoholic addict lifestyle and into a healthier way of living.  The staff is not only trained in the clinical aspect of recovery-related therapy, many of them have had drug and/or alcohol-related issues and are now in the process of their very own recovery as well.  This is a boon for those who might feel uncomfortable with the idea of having to pursue their venture into sobriety thinking there will be no one with whom, staff-wise, they can genuinely lock into.  The staff at this alcohol rehab has the ability to be present and available in a way that, no matter how empathetic a non-addict can be; only another alcoholic can connect.  They are able to truly recognize and can share from a place of intrinsic understanding.

As our path to sobriety continues and we are now out and active in the world of recovery, we will be able to become the very same people who, as we once relied on the truth of others who were in our position, are now capable of being the ones with whom newer alcoholic addicts can identify.  This is the opportunity where we now start being able to give back and feel a sense of purpose in the world.  We become the bridge to sobriety for others by offering that which we had received; the ability to really “get” it like no one else can.

Choosing Inpatient or Outpatient Alcohol Drug Rehab

What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient alcohol drug rehab? One obvious difference is that during inpatient rehab, the patient stays at a rehab center; during outpatient rehab, the patient does not. When choosing on a drug rehab, counselors more often recommend inpatient treatment. Why? Well, one main reason is that it is difficult to control the addict and triggers and temptations to use while in an outpatient rehab protocol. Most addicts cannot control their urges to use while undergoing detox at the same time as living within the environment in which he or she became addicted in. This makes outpatient rehab too difficult for most people. In order to have the best chance at recovery, every aspect of the user’s environment must be changed. This is impossible through outpatient rehab.

When an addict checks in to our California drug rehab center, he or she has many advantages not available to those choosing an outpatient treatment program.

Around the clock support:

Detox is never easy, and can even be life-threatening. In a 24-hour facility there is staff on duty around the clock to make sure that you have the support you need and are safe during this process.

Structure:

One of the most difficult adjustments addicts have to make is learning to live a life without drugs or alcohol. Starting sobriety in a neutral environment, away from drug-buddies and drug providers enables one to build up the strength required to go back to their “real life” without succumbing to the temptations of drugs.

Time to Focus on You:

When undergoing this life change, it is important to focus on your own needs, rather the demands of job and family. Checking into an inpatient rehab ensures that all of your focus and energy are spent on yourself, not  others.

Consistency:

Often people who abuse drugs and alcohol do not live their lives on consistent schedules. Finding, using and recovering from using drugs and alcohol takes up all of an addict’s time and energy. Getting into a normal schedule is important. During your stay in rehab, you’ll wake up, eat and sleep at the same time every day – slowly easing into a normal daily schedule that sober people take for granted.

After detoxing, users may be free of the addictive substance, but it takes a lot of therapy and practice in order to free the mind. Every aspect of life must be changed in order to continue sobriety, and a stay in an inpatient drug addiction rehab treatment center is the best chance of a successful start to a happy, healthy life free of drugs and alcohol.

The Alcoholic Addict and Material Items

As our sobriety continues and we begin to feel better, we may see our lives rebuild in a material fashion.  They may even be re-upped or improved upon with the things we lost while we were getting loaded; be it car, house, job, partner, etc.  There is also the distinct possibility these things may not come our way.  We are guaranteed nothing in the material.

We may hear stories from people who have received everything they lost and then some.  There are times when, while listening to someone sharing and/or a speaker in a meeting, we may hear that person say they live a life beyond their wildest imagination, all the while delivering a message that is only connected to the physical items they now have.  Perhaps after the statement regarding “A life beyond… imagination.” they relay their tales of material acquisition without covering what brought them there.  They may have left out the important details of how they got to that place in their life and focus solely on all of the seemingly fine and fabulous things they now own.

It can be frustrating and maybe even feel near-deceiving when we don’t have those same results.  Perhaps we’re thinking we are supposed to have those very same things, on a similar timeline, to whomever we’re listening.  Maybe then we begin to think the program isn’t working.  We cannot understand why we feel like whatever program to which we are affiliated isn’t doing what we think it should.

The fact of the matter is participating in a program is not an insurance policy regarding acquiring “things” we may want to have.   If worked as instructed by the suggestions in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, we are given the ability to connect with our Higher Power, who subsequently allows us to match calamity with serenity.  That ability is a gift that far outweighs any material item.

The Alcoholic Addict and Hitting Bottom

We may hear the phrase “hit bottom” more than once as we begin our journey into the world of sobriety.  What does “hit bottom” mean?  Maybe we have a preconceived notion about what hitting bottom looks like.  Is it someone clutching a bottle of the cheapest booze, half propped up on yellowed newspapers against a rusted out dumpster in a rat infested alleyway using a cardboard box for shelter?  There are bottoms that do, in fact, look like that however many more bottoms do not resemble that particular image.

The fact of the matter is that our “bottom” isn’t really about how awful our life may or may not look outside of us.  There are bottoms that people have hit where they did not lose their jobs, their places to live, their cars, had their children taken away, divorced or split from their partners, lost their businesses, etc.
What “hitting bottom” actually means is that we get to that place where we feel ever-so-lost, writhing in agonizing emotional pain, empty, and very, very alone.  What we may have done, be it drank, took drugs, numbed ourselves out in some way, no longer keeps that soul-suffering at bay.  We are wholly and totally broken, from the inside out.

In this California drug rehabilitation center, the staff is able to help us see how our outside differences are not the defining factor when it comes to measuring our respective bottoms.  Instead, they show us it’s that misery which we can tolerate no longer that is the binding factor between us.  We are now at a place where we can no longer ease our way by drinking alcohol and/or using drugs.  Our stories may differ about how we arrived but our sense of utter hopeless desperation is the same.  This is hitting bottom.

The Alcoholic Addict and Life’s Hardships

When we embark on our road to sobriety we may fall prey to the delusion that everything is all going to be a-okay from here on in.  Perhaps we have forgotten that, previous to our imbibing, be it alcohol or drugs or both, life existed on its own terms.

Hardships will, more than likely, crop up as life goes on.  Perhaps there’s been something with which we’ve been dealing during our drinking and/or using and is now continuing into our sobriety.  When we are drunk and/or high, it may seem like those hardships are easier with which to contend.  When we are sober, and we come upon a challenging event; it may feel insurmountable.  The exact opposite has a tendency to be the truth.  When we are loaded and ignoring anything that happens in the “outside world”, those problems and issues don’t go away.   They not only remain in our lives but sometimes their difficultly is compounded by our ignoring them.  When we are sober, and are in need of dealing with problems, knowing full well that ignoring them will not make them disappear, we will now have the necessary tools to use.

The staff at this California alcohol rehab will assist us in the laying of our foundation in sobriety.  Teaching us the way to have a life built using those very skills which will then assist us in getting past those seemingly overwhelming moments.  They will take the time to explain that whether or not we understand why something is happening, that, if it is in motion it is happening and guide us toward a place of accepting what’s actually occurring, painful, difficult or otherwise and that there are other options to explore instead of getting high and/or drunk.  Life will continue and there is no guarantee that it will be smooth sailing in sobriety.  We, however, now get to negotiate our way through those moments with grace, dignity and without getting loaded.