The Creative Theory of Recovery – The Resulting Change in Personality
This is one of the outcomes of the creative theory of recovery–your personality changes for the better.
The biggest reason for this is that drug seeking behavior is eliminated in recovery, along with all of the behaviors and manipulation that might come along with maintaining a life of addiction. A balanced lifestyle is achieved and obsessive thinking leaves us. We become useful to ourselves, to others, and to society in general….and we feel good about ourselves in doing so. This is in stark contrast to our self-centered and self seeking behavior we displayed during active addiction.
In other words, if a drug addict or alcoholic manages to get sober and start living the creative life, their personality will change for the better.
But it’s actually a bit deeper than that. The shift in personality is all part of the spiritual experience, which is critical for the creative life in recovery. Here are some of the outcomes of that shift:
1) Helpfulness - Shift from self-centeredness and drug seeking behavior towards a genuine interest in others and their well-being (for example, helping other addicts and alcoholics in recovery takes on special meaning). This is a huge concept that the newcomer in recovery might not even be aware of, because they have not yet experienced it, nor do they see how it could help them to stay sober.
2) Emphasis on spiritual growth - a connection with a higher power helps guide us in decision making. We embrace the spiritual life and develop a sensitivity to spiritual issues (for example, if a newcomer is talking to us about how to go about finding their higher power).
3) Growth oriented mindset - once you’re living the creative life in recovery, there is a tendency to push yourself to grow further (achieve goals, learn new things, try new experiences, etc.)
Note that in all cases, the resulting personality shift in recovery is always positive. Personally, I did not believe this when I was still in active addiction. I thought that if I were to get sober, I would be like the hole left after eating the doughnut. This worry is unfounded because the creative life in recovery always improves your personality due to the emotional and spiritual growth you are experiencing.
The lesson? Don’t be afraid to change!
Steven Says:
I knew I was on my way in recovery when I started laughing again. I also discovered that smiles are contagious.
Great Post.
Patrick Says:
Hi Steven
I agree about the laughter. That’s when you know you can actually start enjoying yourself again without self-medicating. For so long, I thought that would be impossible. So glad that I was wrong! Thanks for your comment, and good luck to you….
Lisa Says:
Just eliminating drugs and alcohol from my life changed me completely. I would not have been able to without the support of my fellow addicts and alcoholics who showed me I could smile and laugh without self medicating. Now I’m excited about the possibilities of life, becoming the person I always wanted to be, and leaving the past behind (at least not staring at it as I used to)…I constantly need inspiration and so I stay close to my support group – but I am branching out in many other ways that don’t involve just that. Life is good now – although I still get scared, I don’t feel the need to use or drink. I’m gald I was wrong about never smiling or laughing again too! I once thought that would be impossible to keep up without using.
Patrick Says:
Hi there Lisa
I too thought that I would never be able to laugh, smile, or have any fun if I ever got clean and sober. Thank goodness I finally gave it a chance enough to find out how wrong I was.
Sounds like you have a great support group around you and a good recovery program going…..good luck to you and God bless. Thanks for your comment, come back and let us know how you are doing with your creative life in recovery….
Lisa Says:
Thanks for asking me to come back and let you know about how I am doing. I have been reading some great books that have helped me focus more on the NOW than on the past or the future. When my mind is not in the now I become angry that my past needs were not mind and anxious that my future needs will not be met. In the now I am finding trust and joy. It’s been about practicing a joyful, helpful, hopeful attitude. I do not, by any means, always succeed. I am sometimes so angry, contrary and argumentative. But I have also given up on the idea that I can be perfect-another source of constant letdown for me because of the impossibility of achieving perfection. I no longer belive I have to be perfect. I now believe that my best effort, win or lose, is all that is required of me. I continue to stay close to the principals of recovery and my support group…although now in my 7th year of recovery the branching out to other areas is more necessary. The ability to evolve into someone who is interdependent with life and my support group has been a challenge, but I always keep some constants in my life – step work, therapy with a professional, sponsor, meetings as often as I can (sometimes this is only 1x/month) – I always see myself as an alcoholic/addict in recovery-I remember where I come from and where I never want to return. For me the obsession has been lifted – I am not cavalier about drugs and alcohol – I am indifferent. I continue to seek spiritual evolution in my life and am working 1/day a week less (I was (:) also a workaholic) to live a more balanced life and to continue to expand my spiritual life with retreats and my current seeking of a Spiritual Advisor. So I am still in the most exciting, adventerous part of my journey in life. The excitement and adventure only began when I put down the drink and drug. What a paradox! I had to give up the very thing I thought gave me joy in life….to find joy in life. How are you doing?