Northwoods Recovery: The unforeseen

Just as in “normal” life, any good Northwoods recovery will have its ups and downs. By no means do we achieve anything like perfection simply by pursuing sobriety, but it may appear close to that in comparison to the chaotic nightmare addiction inflicted on us.

For an addict, achieving the once-thought impossible period of sobriety is an encouraging step into recovery, but only the first of a great many that will be necessary if we are to truly recover from addiction. We can be forgiven for hoping this admittedly decisive action promises smooth sailing going forward, but must bear in mind that recovery is a long, drawn-out process that will involve navigating unknown and sometimes stormy waters, easily comparable to investigating the unexplored oceans found on ancient maps labeled “Here Be Dragons!” 

On this voyage we learn to expect unplanned-for confrontations with sulphur-breathing dragons wearing the form of challenging new situations. 

In recovering from addiction, Murphy’s Law rules; anything can go wrong and very possibly will. But we cannot live in fear of the many challenges that we’ll always be facing; embrace the opportunities that are present in every new challenge and use them to grow in self-knowledge. 

I’m fortunate in not having had a substance use relapse in this current recovery, but I did suffer some of what could be characterized as mental health relapses; which came to be blessings in disguise. A rocky and problem-filled marriage finally ended in a divorce that saw me living solo in my own home, something for which I continue to feel endless gratitude every day. Why I wasn’t driven to drink by the never-ending acrimony is a major mystery.  

While my marriage was nearing its end, an emotional workplace crisis found resolution when, realizing my wrongful actions needed righting, I reversed course and sincerely apologized to my boss. That mea culpa proved to be the beginning of a long-treasured friendship that had an enormously positive impact on my recovery. 

Recovery might reasonably be viewed as a series of unforeseen confrontations, perplexing challenges whose resolution can best be found by utilizing the heightened awareness that comes with long-term sobriety. Our sobriety guides us through the twists and turns of recovered life as our substance abuse never could.  

When following this path stumbles are inevitable; take a deep breath, make necessary course corrections, and know this to be the way we do recover.

Do you think you may have a problem with alcohol? Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Call the hotline at 715-360-4637 or visit   www.northwoodsaa.org for questions or to find a meeting in your area.