MAKING A COMMITMENT

When I came back into recovery after a lengthy relapse, I knew I had to make a daily commitment to stay clean and sober – even if only for that day.   Making commitments can sometimes be overwhelming because there is risk involved.  This risk results in two different fears:  the fear of relapse and the resulting chaos, and the fear of living a sober life.

I had to overcome the fear of commitment and risk because if it was strong enough, it would give me the excuse to avoid commitment altogether.  I would be able to justify in my own mind staying in or going back to my old habits.

I knew it was vital that I make a commitment to change and learn how to value myself and others enough to keep that commitment.  I had to believe that I could change and I had to identify my own value system and beliefs on which I could base my changed behaviours.  I needed to be inspired enough to overcome my fears and commit to keeping a healthy lifestyle that supports my recovery.

To accomplish this, I made a plan for what changes I was willing to commit to – writing it down made it more tangible thus easier for me to follow.

Things would not change just because I wanted them to, I had to take action and this involved making commitments to myself, to others, and to my recovery.

SC