Darkness, pain, insecurity, anxiety, rejection, worry, poverty, isolation and suicide.

These are just some of the words used to describe the tremendous turmoil and horror addicts may face daily.

Whilst addiction may lie on a spectrum of severity, if one finds that their life has become unmanageable and hopeless, then this itself is severe.

It matters not whether their poison, drug of choice or recurring habitual behaviour is alcohol, drugs, sex, food or gambling.

What matters once a person gets honest with themselves and identifies they are an addict is that they ‘reach out’.

The mistake sometimes is that the addict, overcome by shame hurt and embarrassment, reaches out to someone who has never battled with addiction themselves.

Due to Stigma, distortion and Mis-guided information regarding addiction - many addicts fail to find the 12 step programmes of recovery.

However, those that do find the 12 step recovery programmes are on the road to true freedom, joy, spiritual awareness, connection, fellowship, well-being, unity and unconditional love.

For the addict in recovery, the journey and process is not easy and it’s one for life.

Addiction is not a problem with a weak-will but an actual disease of the body and a spiritual malady of the heart and mind.

There is no quick fix out of addiction. The admission of powerlessness is essential and is the cornerstone for every addicts recovery journey.

For many addicts, jails and institutions becomes a distant yet vivid memory of the past. However, the fear of relapse for some grows stronger everyday.

The healing power of Forgiveness is truly one of wonderment, but the addict should not just seek forgiveness and amends from others which is step 8 in the recovery journey. It’s essential that the addict first and foremost forgives themselves.

Daily Submission and Surrender to a power greater, is key to the joys, freedom, serenity, peace and blissful success of recovery.

This is known by those who were once helpless, torn, rejected and fractured by addiction.

This article is written to encourage any suffering addict who feels hopeless, irritable and discontent… that there is recovery programmes that help those struggling with addiction.

Spirituality is key in accessing the power within that will carry the addict across the rainbow bridge of recovery.

I’m very grateful to have this platform where I can reach out to those who may be struggling with addiction to send the message that only an addict can help another addict !

Darren Peters

Addiction and Transpersonal Therapist