Finding Reasons to Be Thankful as Addiction Hits Home
It’s the time of year when families across the country attempt to take a step back and find the things for which they are thankful. Gratitude is given for things like food on the table, family, friends, health, our freedom and so on.
When addiction hits home, finding reasons to be thankful can feel like pulling strings as opposed to having any real sincerity. It’s hard for an addict to feel thankful when the only thing on their mind is how they are going to get through the holidays without being sick or having to confront their family on why they keep living the way they do. For families and loved ones the constant worry, stress, disappointment, and hurt feelings override the simple things in life one usually finds gratitude in.
That said, if you are reading this and if any of this feels familiar or you are still dealing with addiction, whether addicted or loving someone who is currently an addict, there are many things you can find to be thankful for with the right perspective. The necessary actions must be taken, now and without hesitation, to ensure next year’s Thanksgiving can be accompanied by genuine smiles and without the heavy burdens of addiction. While life is present, hope remains.
Be thankful that you have found your purpose and drive to handle this once and for all, that you are done waiting for all hope to be lost and have instead found a renewed energy to do everything to save yourself or your loved one from the grips of addiction.
Be thankful that you are no longer willing to wait on the sidelines and are instead willing to do whatever is necessary to start fighting again, no matter the cost or sacrifice, immediate hurt or upset feelings that may come about, or stress that arises from confronting the situation head-on.
Be thankful that you have found the ability to believe and hope again, regardless of all the times that mindset may have let you down in the past.
Be thankful that you are no longer washing your hands of the problem anymore because you are ready to get your hands dirty to do whatever it takes to build a better future.
Be thankful that you are refusing to give up and that a successful recovery is and will continue to be the only acceptable outcome.
Be thankful that while addiction may have hit home, it will not stay home.
Yes, sometimes life hits so hard that being thankful does feel like pulling strings. That’s ok because sometimes that’s how life works. If the right strings are being pulled and we find things to be thankful for that are part of the solution instead of contributing further to the problem, we won’t have to pull strings next year.
Next year won’t come with the worries, anxieties, and fears of what the New Year will bring.
Next year will be full of pride for the actions we decided to take right here and right now.
Next year will be about being thankful for the hard work that was put in to save a life, to save a person we love, for the gift of a life worth living.
Don’t grieve because it can’t be done, be thankful that you know it can be done and that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the help to make it happen. Be thankful that the time to put this behind you, for good, is now. If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out.
Justin P—Narconon Suncoast Graduate
