Chapter 18

Overcoming denial (which can take many clever forms) is an ongoing challenge for all addicts. Too many people in recovery only want to conquer the denial that they have a drug problem… and stop right there. A great deal of moral laziness and half-stepping prevents the abundant life from taking over and keeps us stagnant and unfruitful. This is what I call bottom-feeding, or being perfectly willing to accept the bare minimum that is required in the restoration to sanity.

Let us think for a moment exactly what we mean by the concept of sanity. The dictionary defines sanity as “the quality or state of being sane; especially: soundness or health of mind.” If we wish to re-establish healthiness of mind, we need to retrain our brain using the only formula proven to work: appeal of pleasure, avoidance of pain. Positive reinforcement of healthy habits in daily activities will certainly counteract harmful addictive behavioral tendencies over time. Pursuit of religious ideals (after a clear mind is obtained) helps tremendously - and provides excellent groundwork for positive change and growth.

Moral laziness is an easy trap to fall into, and cessation of drug or alcohol abuse alone rarely reconstructs a tattered and torn life. It is irresponsible to persist in moral slothfulness, and attempt to nudge the fence as closely as possible. Irresponsibility is almost impossible to see in the mirror, though it is easy to recognize in others. We must be careful nevertheless, since it is dangerously contagious. We all know that which gets rewarded gets repeated, so when working with others, it is important not to reinforce laziness or moral irresponsibility; but on the contrary, encourage a course of vigorous action based on quality knowledge, wisdom, and direction.

Repetition of rewarded behaviors and habits is not a phenomenon restricted to addiction; this is really truthful in all facets of life. Addicts in particular have a heightened awareness of this truth because while they traverse through progressive stages of recovery, memories of reward based drug use occasionally steamroll through their minds without warning. It is difficult to reprogram an addict’s poisoned brain with new reward-based habits and reinforcements that over-ride the pleasure sensors (which have been well trained) while simultaneously reminding him of the pain that chemical abuse causes.

A key insight into helping an addict is to facilitate understanding of his immorality and wrongdoing, while encouraging the promise of a better life, a new life. There is so much more to freedom than just being free. We can be happy too, and this is only fully possible when we try and seek God. God set us free to be happy, plain and simple. We are free to love, and live. You will never live out your God-given potential or live your best life if you refuse responsibility. Likewise, you cannot run away from problems, but you must face them head on… this is the quickest way forward. If you realize you have been on the wrong road, change NOW… get on the right path and clear your thinking.

We will always live in a manner consistent with our self concept. Be the change you want to see in others. You do become what you think about, but you can’t build character on what you are hoping to do. Do it now, CHANGE, and do not procrastinate hoping for a better day that may never come. What are you waiting for? People get unmotivated when they realize deep down they’re not living the life that could be. The journey into self discovery can be exciting and rewarding, so go ahead and cross the bridge from what you are into what you want to be. Our circumstances reflect our belief, whether we like it or not. We need to c0llect new ideas every day, and then put them into action. What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.