As a recovering addict, sober, happy and productive for the last 10 years, I have to say that the most difficult obstacle in the path of sobriety, is the inability of an addict to submit, to accept one’s faults and to be able to submit to a higher power or authority.
EGO is the biggest problem for a Drug Addict or an Alcoholic.
In fact a lot of people stumble at the very first step of the 12 step programme.
It is easy to say the words “I am an addict or alcoholic and I am powerless over my addiction”, but how many of us actually believe and accept this fact?
If I truly believed that I was powerless over my addiction, would I question my doctor or counsellor over the length of my treatment programme?
If I truly believed that a power greater than myself is helping me to restore my sanity, why would I scoff at the rules in the rehabilitation centre, or question the efficacy of my counselling sessions?
After three failed attempts in locked facilities, I was fortunate to gain admission to the DAIRRC rehabilitation centre, a rehab facility in Mumbai, where I finally was able to gain the courage to face my demons.
My rehabilitation program lasted for 9 months. My ego dilution happened somewhere in the 4th or 5th month, after being patiently counselled by Doc and the counsellors at the rehabilitation centre.
When I actually accepted the fact that I was powerless over my addiction, I was able to submit to the treatment program in the rehabilitation centre, Land and its rules then made a lot of sense. I began to open up and face my fears, and this helped me tremendously.
I have this advice for all addicts, “Submit to the program, it has been designed by encapsulating the experience gained from the rehabilitation of countless addicts, it is designed to set you free!”