Smart Recovery And Constructive Thinking
The Smart Recovery program that I am a huge proponent of, has a section within their curriculum called “Forward Steps To Recovery; Using Constructive Preventative Thinking.” It’s informative, simple, basic and straight to the point.
It focuses mostly on building an awareness to our thinking in real time, or as it’s officially called Mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness gets our thinking in the here and now. Besides awareness, it is built from the component of acceptance as well.
It is a practice that can teach us about the impulsive side of substance abuse, active addiction, and relapsing. It’s a type of training method that allows us to learn to include thinking as part of a delay strategy. Harnessing our minds to put more thought into our seemingly thoughtless choices.
I can attest that I really can’t even tell you how many times I’ve actually relapsed. It’s been countless times where I have made those type of impulsive decisions. Zero thought, no care for consequences, and a total case of the fu** its. A tough set of words, but it’s the sheer truth. If you don’t have an impulse problem, keep it that way. By steering clear of addiction.
Sure, we can have all the remorse and guilt after the fact when we see our punishments and our hurt loved ones. But the real key comes to learning how to see the results, in a projecting kind of way. See those consequences, before they actually unravel. See both the negative, and positive potential.
Smart Recovery basis for this process is to use Thought Exercises. They are techniques for stopping, debating, disputing, or substituting those thoughts. Many of those sound rather self-explanatory. However, they still all require effort, commitment, and consistency. Changing the brain, and our way of thinking just cannot happen overnight.
It’s about recognizing our toxic thinking and catching it before we follow through with the thought (impulse). Remaining alert of what’s around us, and keeping ourselves in places that are supportive of our health.
It’s that old phrase of keeping in check our people, places, and things. And with all that is also the work and task of remaining mindful in our thoughts as well. To catch ourselves from making thoughts that are not realistic, and hold no validity.
Smart Recovery also lists self coping statements as another category for this. There will be those tough times, but are we just telling ourselves that we’re in an impossible never-ending scenario? Or do we change our self talk, by reminding ourselves that we’ve suffered similar trial and tribulations in the past, and yet we have overcome before. So we can overcome once again. That is Smart Recovery’s example in positive coping statements.
Another step in this Smart Recovery process is the recommendation of using the self help tool of Positive Affirmations. I have noticed throughout my life that this advice specifically is not taken as seriously as other things. Is the reason being because we see things just like positive affirmations posted on places like facebook all the time? Posted by not the most sincere of people.
Often times it’s rather artificial people doing the most positive affirmation preaching. All done as a huge facade.
Yes, I do feel much of that’s true. Often, but not always. However, I still do believe that sincerity with self, can be healed and molded, using those affirmations. There is no reason to question the depth, or reality of a positive affirmation especially the kind that is only kept within yourself.
The realest positive affirmations are those in which we share with nobody but ourselves.
Lastly, I wanted to put a focus on the practice of reviewing things. Playing the tape back, keeping it green, or whatever else you may want to call it.
More specifically, I want to recommend reviewing what works and what hasn’t worked. Perhaps put it all on paper, go over goals, see if we have accomplished said goals, and if we haven’t, try to determine why.
It is strongly recommended to review components that are considered negative. Do an inventory. Look back at all the actions that lead to toxic consequences. Be honest about what choices caused problems.
If one finds themselves still in a denial state, or just doesn’t feel they have ever been the problem, then they should really consider taking a deeper look, and take a few steps back. Spend more time on this work, and hopefully, the opinion will reset itself. It can be hard to take a long serious look at ourselves. And it can be even more difficult to do an honest self inventory.
It’s not always the most comfortable action that leads us to the most comfort.
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 still suffering.
