Our Values In Recovery And Sobriety

I have started to learn, as times goes on, that my life will end up being counter productive if I don’t have my mind set on the values that I want to become part of. There are two paths that we can travel in life. If we aren’t travelling towards values, that we are moving away from them. But is there a third option? Is that option one that keeps us stuck on pause? All of these are potentials in which many people can relate to in life at different stages. As for what I think, I believe that there has to be a choice of two options; the ones of either being close or far to the values you have. To me, if the third option of being stuck on pause does exist, then it pretty much resembles a way of life that is not focused in on being near values.

Sometimes we may not even feel that aware of this type of mindset. I found out that for myself, my entire perception of my values seemed a bit undercover for many years. It didn’t mean that my life didn’t have values. It just meant that I wasn’t that tuned in, to those values. As if the values existed, deep in my brain somewhere, but I may had not been actively living and breathing my values. What that sometimes lead to was behaviours that didn’t really match the values; as if mistakes were made because of failing to live in a way that we know darn well was the right way to live.

This topic is quite relevant in subjects like mental health and addiction. When we reach a point of finally finding sobriety, that new way of life is reflective of much more than simply stopping the physical using of the drug. If anything, that’s only a very small percentage of what it’s really all about.

There have been countless times throughout my life, where I was able to stop abusing drugs. Whether it be from medication assisted treatment, or just horrific cold turkey with no secondary medicines involved. That act of ceasing the use is not a guarantee that we will find a happy life of sobriety whatsoever.

Sobriety is not just about drug or alcohol abuse. Sobriety is a complete total mindset about every part of life. If that journey doesn’t start building a roadmap to certain values, than it may only be a matter of time, before the relapse happens.

We have to establish an understanding from within, of exactly what our philosophy is, regarding what values we deem important.

I have often come to believe that if I am not living a life that is moving towards the values I have, than I might just be setting up a jeopardization of my own stability when it comes to sobriety. Values play a huge role in recovery. It may not always seem so up front, but that is what I believe.

The entire art of living sober revolves around how we are living generally speaking. Many of us lie or steal while in active addiction. But if we stop using drugs, but still lie and steal, how solid could our sobriety really be? Can it continue long term, if we are not living right in other aspects of life that are important?

Recovery is a way of life, and not just a definition of whether or not we are abusing a substance. I was an addict, long before I picked up a drug.

Drug abuse is just one symptom of a long list of things. We do it to mask, and numb so many other of our real issues. Once we continue with that use, we then walk ourselves into the that realm of physical and mental addiction.

If the act of quitting drugs was so easy, than we wouldn’t have any drug addicts.

So remember to ask yourselves often, are you moving away from your goals, or are you moving closer to them? If you are on a course and journey of sobriety, and seeking to assure that the road remains on track, look at the other ways in which you are living your life. It should show itself rather clearly which way your life is taking you.

Keep on track with the morals and values. Learn about mindfulness, and practice that as you look over yourself. Important values will reflect themselves onto us and help create daily living that let’s the sunshine remain on us, and keep us from travelling those darker paths. Don’t accept anything less, than what you deserve.

By MICHAEL PATANELLA

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.