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Many of us are in survival mode in early recovery, lacking healthy coping mechanisms or tools. As they say, nobody comes into recovery on a winning streak! We discuss the importance of keeping it simple, for example, not getting overzealous with to-do lists and setting ourselves up for failure. We acknowledge the reality that sometimes One Day at a Time is too big a hurdle in the beginning stages of recovery–sometimes recovery is moment-to-moment. While in survival mode, repeating the serenity prayer and detaching from things outside of our control (which is most things) can help to ground us.
The safety net of recovery assisted us in our transition from survival mode to establishing some stability. Being among people who understand firsthand our struggles and can provide their experience, strength and hope can help us to stabilize. Learning to implement boundaries and limiting our interactions with and detaching from people who threaten our recovery is crucial. Additionally, looking at our role in our suffering and taking accountability for our actions elevates us from a victim mentality. Staying focused on ourselves and not taking others’ inventory is vital to our recovery.
Once we got to a place of stability, we were able to start focusing on and achieving goals that languished for many years. We talk about experiencing the fruition of dreams that seemed unattainable when mired in active addiction and codependent, maladaptive ways of living. We start to experience significance. Another key aspect of significance in recovery is becoming a source of support for others in their journey. This is one of the greatest gifts of recovery! We have to give it away to keep it. We get to bless others with the same compassion and love we received from fellow travelers in our journey from survival to significance.
