While in the midst of addiction, the perception of the relationships we create or destroy is often very skewed. It is very difficult for an addict or alcoholic to accept blame for their wrong doings. We often hurt the ones we love and care for most as we become selfish and self-centered and disregard any personal responsibility for our own actions. Many of the relationships we create while in addiction are on the basis of our false self.

How can somebody get to know anyone that is not truly themselves?

When we are brave enough to ask for help and seek sobriety, we have made the first step towards improving our relationships. After the initial detox phase of recovery, we begin to develop clarity of mind, something many of us have not experienced in years. 

We begin to look at and understand ourselves in a way that is impossible to while we are using or drinking. There is nothing more freeing than being able to wake from a restful night’s sleep and not feel enslaved by our addiction. This clarity of mind allows us to repair the relationships that need mending and lose the ones that may not have been in our best interest.

Once we begin our journey in sobriety, we learn about the importance of mind, body, and spirit. For myself, taking care of my body physically improves my mental state. Whether it is through physical exercise, my love for surfing, meditation, or simply just eating healthy, I am able to strengthen the relationship between all three.

It is easy to take sobriety for granted, especially when we become complacent, however, it may be the last chance one has at a new beginning. Using any drug today has become a game of Russian roulette with the amount of fentanyl pouring in to our communities. Take the opportunity of sobriety to create a new version of yourself; a new self that is honest, trustworthy, and dependable. A new version of yourself that you truly love and that others can fall in love with.