Recovered vs. Recovering: The Ongoing Debate in Addiction Recovery
The people leading meetings, along with sponsors and elders, may believe that, in order to get through to the people listening to them, they must clearly present as a sick and suffering person to garner credibility and reside down at the base level in order to effectively help those who are really in an acute stage of substance use disorder.
Mike and Nat are back, and they're tackling a question that sparks endless debates in the recovery community: Are we ever truly 'recovered,' or are we always 'recovering'? In this episode of 'Recovery in the Middle Ages', they dive into this hot topic with their usual blend of humor and honesty. Mike, still battling COVID, doesn’t let that stop him from joining the conversation, making this episode both timely and relatable.
The discussion kicks off with a look at how different terms like 'recovered' and 'recovering' can impact one's mindset and approach to sobriety. Is it helpful to think of yourself as permanently in recovery, or does that keep you tethered to your past struggles? Mike and Nat explore both sides, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their own journeys. But that's not all!
The episode also delves into some controversial yet fascinating topics like the use of psychedelics and cannabis in recovery. How do these substances fit into a sober lifestyle, if at all? And what about kombucha? Is it a harmless health drink or a slippery slope back to old habits? The hosts share their thoughts and invite listeners to weigh in.
Adding a sprinkle of suburban life into the mix, Mike and Nat discuss the unique challenges of maintaining sobriety amidst soccer games, PTA meetings, and the ever-present temptation of suburban 'wine culture'. They also touch on the importance of community support and how language and ego play crucial roles in the recovery journey.
So, if you're curious about whether you can ever consider yourself fully recovered or if you'll always be on the path of recovery, this episode is a must-listen. It's a thoughtful, engaging, and sometimes humorous exploration of what it means to live a sober life.