Can You See "Miracles" In Addiction?
Written by Craig Rogers, Posted on , in Section Testimonials
It's a valid question... can miracles be found in addiction?
Addiction is painful for everyone involved (what an understatement!). However, it is possible to find "miracles" in addiction, at least this is what I believe. Real miracles too! I believe that everyone has a purpose for their life, and those who get sidetracked with addiction still have a purpose. And when they get back on track and accomplish their purpose we have to wonder what would the world have been like had they not made it out of the ugliness of addiction? What if they had not survived? How many lives did they touch through their recovery, after addiction?
Sometimes our life purpose can become even stronger and more powerful because of the pain endured in addiction and through recovery. Sometimes the process of recovery is what unleashes the ability to be a miracle. For those who survive addiction and get a second chance, they will tell you that miracles are for real.
People who overcome addiction and get into recovery did so because they got tired of trying to make everything work while attempting to manage their addiction - which is literally impossible (it’s harder than herding cats blindfolded with your legs bound). Ultimately, the addict tried to control everything and ended up losing everything.
"The good news is that the person in recovery survived. They gave up and gave in, coming to a place of total surrender and began the process of healing - a process called recover, a process that never ends. The first miracle is the fact that the addicted turned their life over to a higher power, or submitted to a treatment process, or to whatever worked - as long as their recovery is authentic. This all by itself is a miracle."
At one point in the recovery process, the addict experiences unusual peace, comfort, and freedom - they become “grounded.” For the first time in a very long time, they feel alive. This is a miracle. The process of recovery, going from active addiction to being grounded, in and of itself, is a miracle. Trust me; I experienced it 25-years ago, and I can only describe it as an answer to prayer and a miracle. My wife and family would agree.
The “recovery” as an event, is only the first of a series of miracles - one after another, as the once “lost” person has been “found” and is fulfilling his or her purpose. The fulfillment of one’s purpose is the miracle, just ask those who would otherwise suffer had it not been for the addict’s recovery.
I ran across a great story in the Huffington Post, written by Kat Karpoff. She hit the nail on the head. It's a personal reflection, and somewhat unique. Her style and presentation were incredible, and the emotional connection I had with her was solid as a rock. It is an unusual story of addiction, recovery, and miracles - but a miracle none the less. I highly recommend that you read Kat's piece, "How to See Miracles In Addiction".
Original article appears in the Huffington Post The Blog by Kat Karpoff on May 31st, 2016.
How To See Miracles In Addiction
We all know that addiction is wreaking havoc on our world. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t seen it up close and personal. Whether it be to prescriptions, cocaine, crack, meth, alcohol, gambling, love, or sex. It is everywhere, and it is in everything. And now we know that it is a bonding problem. It happens when someone has trouble bonding with humans and communities, so they bond to substances. It all makes sense.
It all makes sense especially if you have grown up with it directly in your family and more so in a parent. So what is the painful part? Besides the abuse of their bodies and their psyche, it’s the absolute torment they put themselves through.
"If you are blessed to have a beautifully, kind-hearted parent like myself, it is one of the most painful things to watch them torture themselves."
Don’t get me wrong. My father is an addict; he did not raise me. I was fortunate to have a mother who was not an addict who could raise me. But my dad has always been around. He is now on the streets of Victoria, living life as a homeless addict. He makes my heart hurt.
Please continue reading this article by clicking on "Next Page" below.
Governor Kasich at the Addiction Forum: Believe in Miracles, There is always room for one more...
