Joy In Recovery

By: Jason Marcle

In this mental health blog, I want to bring attention to something positive in recovery. You will hear a lot of recovering addicts talk about the joy or gratitude they have today when presenting their recovery story. Before reading this blog, please make sure to read our blog titled “Addict in Recovery.” This will help you understand the addict before talking about their joy.

By bringing out the positive aspects of recovery, I hope it will help you break the stigma around mental health. Many overcoming addictions are also coping with anxiety. Most of us addicts are searching for conflict resolution. I am trying to strengthen any emotional awareness when communicating with others as discussed in the earlier mentioned blog.

A few weeks ago, I was attending a recovery meeting, and we discussed the joy we all have found in recovery. This is something I often take for granted. I heard many different people discuss how they are experiencing joy in their lives today.

One lady spoke about how she finds joy in the small things today, things a lot of people take for granted daily. She spoke about seeing a double rainbow after a storm and how that was a great reminder showing her that God was there, and He is keeping His promises.

One spoke of finding joy today in being able to slow down, sit on the couch and watch a movie in peace. This may sound silly to some, but I completely understand. She is saying that before recovery, she could not sit still long enough to relax and watch a movie. She couldn’t slow her mind down enough to be able to focus on one thing and enjoy it. That’s huge.

One spoke of the joy they have found in the recovery group. No matter what he was feeling, he knew that someone in the room could relate to his experience and help if needed. He felt joy in having people that wanted to be around him today, having friends that want to have good clean fun with him. Whereas in the past, he felt nobody wanted to be around him unless they wanted something.

One spoke of after being sober for one year, how they finally were able to attend their child’s birthday party. He had been either in jail or in a treatment program in the past during the birthday parties. This meant a lot to him. He was starting to feel like a father. He also found joy in someone giving him a chance and hiring him for a job.

I spoke of how today I am finding joy in spending time with my family. I am thankful that I was sober when my dad found out he had cancer. I was able to help him with things around the house when he was too weak. I was able to mow his yard when he was not able. I was able to make repairs around the house when he did not feel up to it. I was able to take him to chemo treatments when he needed me to drive him.

I did not have any regrets when my dad died. I was able to help him with anything he asked. I was able to visit him and make sure that he knew how much I loved him. After my dad died, I was able to help my mom. I mowed her yard and help her with home repairs. I was able to stay with her every day when she was in the hospital sick with covid. I was able to be there for my parents when they needed me the most.

I also spoke of finding joy today in knowing that I now have a roomful of people that I can call anytime when I am having a bad day, a bad thought, or when I cannot think at all. I can call any of these people and they will understand and be able to help me without judging me.

I have heard many speak on how today they have real peace in their lives. They are no longer being controlled by their addictions. Many have taken a holistic approach to their mental health today, being that they are avoiding all types of painkillers and sedatives.

I do have more joy in my life today than several years ago. I’m not saying every day is a great day for me because it isn’t. I still get nervous for no reason. There are days my hands will itch and burn and shake. I noticed this happening a lot more after I had that nervous breakdown. I am still on a mission to find peace. I am still searching for a larger spiritual awakening. I am still on a mental health journey searching and trying to rebuild my faith after losing so many close and special people in my life in such a short time.

I am enjoying hearing the frogs and crickets at night. I enjoy the beautiful sunrises that God paints the skies in the mornings. I enjoy being around laughter. I enjoy driving my Jeep down a country road with the top-down listening to classic rock. I enjoy the peace that is inside me today telling me that I don’t have to drink anymore.

I enjoy listening to others talk about where they are finding joy today. It gives me hope. It helps me build emotional intelligence skills. I find joy in watching and helping others get sober. A recovery program is not designed to simply teach you how to end your addictions, it teaches you how to live so that you don’t have the desire to give in to your addiction. You do have to put in the hard work. You have to make it happen. Nobody can do it for you, but you.

Please reach out to us if you have a story to tell. Please send us comments and suggestions about our blog posts. We would love to hear from you. Don’t let your addictions live Rent-Free in your head. Don’t let your addictions control you and your thoughts. Anyone can recover if they are willing. Also, remember that you are not alone no matter how alone you feel. Someone somewhere is dealing with the same issues, or even worse.