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Recovery in the News
Editorial
Methamphetamine Update
Oroville Mercury-Register
November 14, 2007
Crossing the border
It has been obvious for some time that addiction crosses all borders. Police officers, teachers, preachers, scientist, CEOs and all manner of "high" and not so mighty individuals have been mired in something that catches them off guard. Immunity is not found in wealth, social standing, religion, or the quality of friends you keep. Reports from other countries also indicate that addiction knows no boundaries.
Addiction crosses all borders for a very simple reason; we are more alike as humans than most of us are comfortable admitting. We take great pains to define and establish our differences: I am from this cultural background; I am this nationality, this religion, this race, and this political party. Two prominent labels for chemically dependent people are addict and alcoholic, and the supposed difference between the two has led to the creation of different support groups. Labels are fine for admitting that your substance abuse has progressed to substance dependence. However, they can be a problem if you over identify with them.
In seven of the 10 years I participated in a 12-step support group I adhered to the tradition of identifying myself as an addict. As I learned more about the psychology of identity, mental programming and human nature I began to see the practice as negative identity reinforcement. The label "addict" can become a self-imposed border that discourages reintegration with mainstream society. And, as I have never met a human who is free of all unhealthy attachment, we are all addicts, so the label is meaningless.
I now introduce myself at meetings by saying my name and following it with "and I'm in recovery." This statement acknowledges the condition I live with, but rejects the notion that I am my illness. People who are depressed do not go to a mental health support group and say "Hi, I'm Dave and I'm depression." Nor do people who attend a cancer support group say "Hi, I'm Bob and I'm cancer." If they did they would be feeding their disease. At meetings a reading states, "an addict is a man or woman who's life is controlled by drugs." Before speaking people identify themselves by saying their name and then "and I am an addict." I believe an unconscious connection is established that may contribute to future relapses. I would be reluctant to say that A+B=C, but psychological programming is a reality. My method of identification turns humiliation into humility, and negative programming into constructive honesty. I have addiction, but I am a human being in recovery.
What I see in recovery programs is what I see throughout humanity; people defining themselves as different. At some point I am hoping we can searchingly ask "How well is that working for us," because the "different" that can be an unhealthy worse than, can also become an unhealthy better than. The 12-step traditions that are supposed to provide a consistent structure often become a competition to see who can be the better defender of the traditions. The resulting rigidity creates borders that many don't care to cross. What would our world be like if we focused on being benevolent humans instead of being better at being different?
Whether it's addiction to methamphetamine, alcohol or some other drug, whether you are suffering with addiction or gaining hope in recovery, you are a human being who is entitled to be connected to whatever program helps you heal and entitled to identify your self in any manner that you wish. I'd like to teach the world to heal in perfect harmony. I'd like to buy the world some hope and keep it company. Unity is the real thing; difference is an unnecessary border to cross. Unity means that we feel and express connection; not that we think and speak alike.
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