Recovering Drug Addict

Photo by James Gordon

Do you think it’s possible for recovering addicts to achieve a successful recovery with a half-hearted effort? This is the question that is being posed by thousands of newcomers in recovery who are seeking the “easier, softer, way.”

The first time I tried to get sober I balked when they suggested I go to meetings every day, and the next time I tried to get sober I balked when they suggested I live in long term treatment. Finally, when I got clean and sober this last time around (7 years ago now and counting) I was desperate enough to take any and all suggestions in order to achieve sobriety. Their suggestions included both drug abuse treatment as well as daily meetings, and this proved to be a winning formula for me. Such is the power of overwhelming force. I’m convinced that anyone who is truly an addict or alcoholic needs to use the concept of overwhelming force in order to achieve lasting sobriety.

What is overwhelming force?

The idea is simple. If you think you need a gallon of gas to drive somewhere, then fill up the tank with ten gallons. If you think you need to study for 2 hours to ace the exam, then study for 8 hours.

When it’s something that is truly important to you, don’t just attempt to meet the goal. Crush it with all your might, using every resource available to you. That’s overwhelming force.

How does overwhelming force apply to recovery?

I applied overwhelming force in my situation by living in long term treatment for 20 months. This gave me a solid foundation for recovery that I don’t think I could have got in any other way. I also attended meetings every single day while living there, as well as working with a treatment counselor on a weekly basis. In addition I got a sponsor in NA and started working the steps.

Many times, when you hear someone sharing at an AA meeting who has significant clean time, they will speak of how they went to 2 or 3 AA meetings every day when they were in early addiction recovery. So the theme of overwhelming force is very common among those who have achieved long term sobriety. This should be a clue that overwhelming force is essential to a successful recovery.

Action items - What you can do:

1) First, gain clarity about your goals. Spend some time defining what it is you really want to achieve and be sure about yourself. Bring clarity to your vision of how you want your life to be. This is important to do before you apply the leverage of overwhelming force. (For example, your goal might be to maintain sobriety and grow in recovery).

2) Once you get clarity on your specific goal, outline the strategy for achieving it. (For example, going to meetings each day, finding and connecting with a sponsor, etc.).

3) Now take the strategies you outlined and multiply them by about 10. Divert efforts and resources from other activities (such as watching television) to help meet your goal. Attack your goal with all of your strength.

Tags: drug addict, recovering addict, recovering drug addict

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