Addiction Recovery Promotes Strong Leadership in Young Adults
Written by Elaine Wilson, Posted on , in Section Therapy News
It is fair to say that overcoming addiction is no easy thing.
For a teenager struggling with such a huge problem at such an early stage in life, recovery becomes a part of their emotional fabric; it is a huge slice of who they are and who they will become as they move into an adult world. Such young people have far more experience, pain, and strength than many of their peers, and this will inevitably affect the way they move through education, jobs, and relationships.
While clearly there is much that will always need to be dealt with (such as the pull of cravings, and previous bad habits), there is also the tenacity that helped them walk away from it all—and to stay away. Such a characteristic is advantageous for high success in both academics and the workplace.
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Leadership qualities in young adults who worked through addiction recovery at such a young age comes from taking charge of their own failures, weaknesses—and destiny. Each recovering addict knows that only they can change themselves and carve out a better future. This enables them to be self-sufficient, and gives them the experience to handle problems that might be far above someone else their age. It also has helps them learn compassion for the people around them. One recovering (and highly successful) young man pointed out, “I've . . . learned never to define someone by the biggest mistake they've ever made, as I certainly never want to be defined that way.”
The young man, Paul Schmitz, who has been a senior advisor (among many other things) also wrote, “Recovery from addiction is not an event, but an ongoing process, and one that reveals new lessons and insights over time.”
It is this constant learning process that will come through in the professional world as well: An addict knows the learning is never finished. Success comes from consistency and effort.
The recovered teen emerges with a strength and determination that many other young adults may never have. As they continue to push themselves through the hell that has been their addiction, they will benefit those
