So many times I hear newcomers to sobriety say that they can get sober alone. It is their preference to go solo. It is not uncommon among addicts to isolate and want to be alone. In sobriety however, we are looking to change behavior and this is one area where change must take place in order to heal and move forward. It is in groups where we find our strength, our courage to be honest again, and the motivation to stay the course. It is when we are left alone and left to our own demise that we get off track and go inward, in a spiral down fashion, instead of reaching out. "Do the opposite of what you feel like doing" is a common saying in the 12 step program. The bottom line is that if we could have gotten sober on our own we would have. Being accountable to someone other than ourselves is key to staying sober. Our addictive minds will lie to us and tell us anything so that we will use and abuse drugs again. Hence, staying in contact with others to constantly take reality checks on our thinking processes is a good idea. Safety is in numbers. Get involved with other members in the 12 step program. Whenever you start anything new, it is uncomfortable for a short amount of time. That too shall pass. Remember that healing takes place in groups and what better place to be in than a group of people who totally understand you and know how you feel without you ever telling them. That's acceptance. That's healthy living. Go get involved, you will be glad you did!
Just sayin'
