Having been through my rock bottom and finally having the strength to attend my first meeting, the overwhelming thought at the back of my mind was ‘how am I going to get through life If I cant drink or use ever again?’
For a newcomer this can seem impossible and can be a huge mental barrier preventing you from even getting to your first meeting. I know it was a huge issue for me, going to a meeting and admitting I had a problem would mean that I was admitting to myself I might possibly never be able to do any of this again, and that itself stopped me from entering the rooms for months.
If you’re new or wondering about how to cope with this, something you’ll hear very often is ‘One Day at a Time’. This is what I wanted to discuss, it’s more than just a saying, it’s a way of thinking that many people in recovery find helpful to embrace which helps us re-frame this huge issue.
By embracing a mental attitude of ‘one day at a time’ we don’t worry about the monumental task ahead of us. We don’t think about the many years ahead of us without drunk, drugs or other addictions which we know deep down we have to give up for our lifetime ahead.
Instead we focus on something that is manageable, something we can achieve and something which makes the process of recovery easier, day by day. We look to wake up each morning and focus on today. The ‘Just for Today’ reading is a great (and simple) example of this thinking which helps many people both in early and later stage recovery.
Don’t dwell on the past, and don’t worry about the future, just look to not drink or use today.
By doing this, we’re able to live a better life one day at a time, a life free from our addictions and full of strength and hope.
/ Jay
