What Does It Mean, and Why Is It Important?
We need to rethink surrender. The most immediate thing that probably springs to mind is simply giving up. Waving the white flag. It’s often thought that this is done out of weakness. Even cowardice.
In drug and alcohol recovery, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In the grip of addiction, you are surrounded by triggering pressures and the cascade of circumstances that occur when people and events are manipulated to get the next fix. We are filled with a senseless desire to fight with every fiber of our being to attain an artificial up or down. It is absurd. It produces nothing but pain and anguish.
The act of surrender is calculated for your own true self-preservation, and the well-being of your loved ones caught up as collateral damage from self-destructive behavior patterns.
Paramount Wellness Retreat’s recovery coach Dominic Chianese Jr. views surrender in terms of liberation. “By definition, surrender simply means laying down your arms and going over to the winning side.” Chianese says. “Stop fighting everyone and everything, including yourself, and join the winning side.”
Dominic clarifies that giving up can be flipped on its head: “instead of thinking of giving up in exasperation, think of it that instead of giving up everything for one thing (the substance of choice in your addiction), you are giving up one thing for everything (your actual flourishing life back in recovery.)” He suggests concentrating seriously on the serenity prayer to “serenely accept the things that you cannot change. It’s the great paradox. The wisdom to know the difference.” Dominic also notes that oftentimes being too proud to surrender is masking underlying feelings of shame, which must be explored in sobriety.
Drug and alcohol addiction can be devastating for individuals and their loved ones. It can take over a person’s life, damaging relationships, careers, and health. However, the good news is that recovery is possible. One essential aspect of addiction recovery is surrendering to the process.
Surrendering means acknowledging that you cannot control everything and that you need help to overcome your addiction. It involves letting go of the illusion of control and accepting that you need to change your behavior and mindset to recover fully. Here are some reasons why surrender is crucial in drug and alcohol recovery:
1. Surrendering is the first step towards recovery
Admitting that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol is a significant step towards recovery. However, it is not enough to overcome addiction. You also need to surrender to the fact that you cannot control your addiction and that you need help to overcome it. Surrendering allows you to accept the support of others and start on the path to recovery.
2. Surrendering helps you overcome denial
Denial is a common defense mechanism used by people struggling with addiction. It is a way of avoiding the reality of the situation and the consequences of their behavior. Surrendering helps you overcome denial by accepting that you have a problem that requires help. It allows you to face the reality of your situation and take the necessary steps towards recovery.
3. Surrendering helps you let go of shame and guilt
Addiction can be accompanied by shame and guilt, which can be overwhelming and prevent you from seeking help. Surrendering helps you let go of these negative emotions and focus on the present moment. It allows you to acknowledge that you have made mistakes but that you can still make positive changes to your life.
4. Surrendering helps you develop humility
Humility is a crucial component of addiction recovery. It involves accepting that you are not perfect and that you need help to overcome your addiction. Surrendering helps you develop humility by recognizing that you are not in control of everything and that you need the support of others to recover fully. In many parts of the world, the act of surrender is considered divine: acknowledging that there are forces greater than our own egos in play in the universe, and that we must submit to a higher order of things greater than ourselves, even if it is just to one another’s help.
5. Surrendering helps you develop trust
Trust is essential in addiction recovery. It involves believing that others have your best interests at heart and that they will support you throughout the recovery process. Surrendering helps you develop trust by allowing you to rely on the support of others and recognize that they are there to help you.
Surrendering is a crucial aspect of addiction recovery. It allows you to acknowledge that you cannot control everything and that you need help to overcome your addiction. Surrendering helps you overcome denial, let go of shame and guilt, develop humility, and build trust. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, consider seeking professional help at Paramount Wellness Retreat in Haddam, Connecticut, and surrendering to the recovery process. Remember, recovery is possible, and surrendering is the first step towards a healthier and happier life.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction,
Paramount Wellness Retreat is here to help.
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What Does It Mean, and Why Is It Important? We need to rethink surrender. The most immediate thing that probably springs to mind is simply giving up. Waving the white flag. It’s often thought that this is done out of weakness. Even cowardice. In drug…
