If you could pick a disease to have what better one than addiction? The beauty of this disease is that we ourselves can cure it, and on the path to recovery we discover a whole new outlook on life and spirituality. Imagine how a cancer patient would feel if he could "cure" himself?

Am I oversimplifying?

JT

That is a really neat thought. It reminds me that no one can come in between us and our recovery and happiness. We have access to everything that we need for recovery as long as we are willing to ask and then accept it.

Yes, we can decide that we don't want to die from this disease and if we survive, the strength from the survival will give our souls more depth. BTW, a man I know told me about being diagnosed with cancer and a 10% chance of surviving. 10 years later and since he survived he considered the experience the best thing that ever happened to him.

Thanks for sharing,
rosie

The beauty of this disease is that we ourselves can cure it, and on the path to recovery we discover a whole new outlook on life and spirituality. JT

Not at all. I know many, many people who consider their "disease" of addiction a blessing. I am moving that way myself.

Not to hijack but a little kudos for myself today. I was expecting a fedex pkg today. The tracking said it would be delivered by 10:20am. Still not here and I have to leave. It is a total non-issue, I will probably get it tomorrow.

If I was using, I would be out of my mind. Calling FedEx and asking for someone's head and probably would of missed dad's b-day dinner waiting for the pkg. Making up some lame excuse.

The pkg is a check. Yes, I need the money but not tonite. The whole getting a check is kind of God giving me what I need and not what I want. Sometimes I find myself trying to guess his plan even though I know I will never be close.

As far as would I pick this disease over others, I will have to think about it. I did cause an awful lot of pain in others with it. The cure is simple but not easy and the success rate is low. I will ponder and answer later.

Gotta go, see you all later.

"Not at all. I know many, many people who consider their "disease" of addiction a blessing. I am moving that way myself."

You're right. I am just starting to understand what people mean when they say, "I'm _________ and I'm a grateful alcoholic."
rosie

What a thought-provoking concept, Mr. Gratetful! Addiction as a meaningful gateway to the blessings that might lie beyond it....a new life and spirituality.

But, first, I am so sorry I did not respond to your exhilarating, drum-beating, cymbals-clashing news that you were no longer "dope sick"!!! Yaaaayyyy!! :-) I was not able to get to the boards for about 3 days...but when I did--your post just leapt out at me. I am so happy for you. I now have to catch up and read the entire thread...and all the others I've missed. I'm way behind!

These last few weeks I have been thinking so much about this conecpt of feeling "normal." Trying to decide if this "recovered" me brings me back to the "normal" I was those years before drugs....or whether "normal" for me, is now, somehow, a step higher from "past normal." Taking into account, the ordinary changes in our thinking as we age over the years and as we go through the good and the bad, I wonder if, by struggling through...and overcoming....the total grip of addiction, we are allowed the chance to feel beyond "ordinary normal"---the chance to reach a more aware, fulfilling "normal"--one that takes into account the beauty of a life no longer taken for granted.

Even if one is not specifically "religious"--there must be SOME form of spiritual comfort and gratitude existing within us towards whoever and whatever gave us the strength to go back in time and reclaim our lives!

And, another way, in which addiction has "enriched" our lives--we have been given a chance, through the miracle of technology's gift of internet board forums, to share each other's suffering, recovery, etc--which connect us with the more compassionate, caring side of ourselves. And in this caring.....we have found new friends.

Okay, this is getting corny, now....but you know what I mean!

Addiction has so many implications for ourselves and those we love. And it seems almost impossible that we can make that trip to the recovery side-- and NOT feel some spiritual aspect lurking in the background! :-)

You've made some interesting comments Mr. G, Mr/Ms (??) Goldfish, and Rosie!!! I hope a few others throw out their thoughts on this, too.

Hoping you all are feeling well.

Lynn :-)