Addiction Recovery Is essentially about change. Step 6 of the 12-step process is often deemed as the first “change” step, because it is the first actionable step that addresses behaviour in one’s life, directly.
The necessity for change.
Individuals struggling with addiction are inclined to develop behavioural traits and coping strategies that, while once serving as a means to cope with stress, become harmful and self-sabotaging in the long run. It is often these detrimental behaviours that lead the afflicted individual back into the cycle of addiction. These behavioural responses to life have to be analysed and changed if one is to live a different and more fulfilling life in recovery.
The journey of recovery is about breaking these patterns. Without change, there is no progress; without progress, the likelihood of reverting to old habits remains high. Recovery, therefore, isn’t just about stopping a behaviour but about transforming how we respond to life in general.
Willingness to embrace change in step 6.
Step 6 highlights becoming entirely ready to let go of shortcomings. This indicates that developing the right level of willingness in regards to looking at behaviours and then changing them accordingly is required to successfully work this step. In prior steps, individuals would have covered the spiritual principle of “willingness”, which according to all 12-step programs is indispensable.
We have learned that only those possessing a sincere desire and willingness to change will put in the necessary work to make that change a reality. If an individual does not possess this attitude right away, it is the job of the therapeutic team within the recovery environment to aid in shifting the person’s attitude, by using a number of professional approaches and techniques.
Engaging in the Change Process
Participating actively in the change process involves a few key points:
- Self-awareness/self-honesty: Recognizing and acknowledging the destructive patterns that need changing.
- Seeking Support: Understanding that changing alone is very difficult. Everybody has blind spots. Peers and recovery professionals can help identify behaviours the individual may not immediately see in themselves.
- Adopting new behaviours: In recovery the individual uses spiritual principles to guide their behaviours as opposed to acting out on the identified character shortcomings. This dramatically improves quality of life in all realms.
In conclusion, change is the very essence of recovery, without it, there is no improvement or healing, only stagnation and a high risk of relapse. By committing to change, one commits to a life of continuous growth and improvement. This commitment is what keeps the individual moving forward through all the highs and lows, learning and adapting as they pass through the ever-changing world in which we live.
How is your journey to recovery going? If you need help or want to start the process of the 12-step program, your chance to start again, reach out to us.