Alcoholism and addiction are extremely problematic diseases. They cause a whole host of unique and troubling issues. They stem from internal problems within us, but they wreak absolute havoc across every area of our lives. This can create a really overwhelming pile-up of problems. But do not despair — every single day in the fellowship of recovery at Jaywalker Lodge, with the help of God, sober people, and the 12-Steps, alcoholics and addicts solve problems that once seemed impossible. No matter how bad it may seem, no matter what your problems are or how many they number, we have found a solution at Jaywalker Lodge. There is hope. There is a way. Please don’t think otherwise, because we are living proof.
With that being said, it can be hard for us to believe any of this at first. Maybe we have problems that don’t seem related to our disease. The 12-Step program of recovery does so much more than get us sober and show us how to live in recovery. Here at Jaywalker Lodge, we don’t get you sober, we introduce you to the tools necessary to live a meaningful, happy life in recovery. We don’t just help with recovery, but life in recovery. The 12-Steps and what we do at Jaywalker Lodge are designed to help you in every area of living.
When Problems Are Unrelated to Addiction
First, for alcoholics and addicts, there are no problems that are unrelated to our disease. But this also means the solutions we employ can help us across the entire scope of our lives. It can be hard to see how our disease affects the parts of life that don’t seem directly related, but remember, we are alcoholics. Our disease touches the fullness of who we are, but so does the solution.
Whether it’s issues with work, school, relationships, fitness, finances, or whatever problems you can name, the thing your problems have in common is you. That’s why the 12-Steps and Jaywalker Lodge deal with helping you, and any good recovery program will do the same. If we can help you bring about real learning and change in yourself, if we can instill real meaning and hope in your life, then we have begun to help with all your problems.
The 12-Steps, combined with healing, mental, emotional, and physical health practices, can produce tremendous positive change. Meditating every day may seem unrelated to having better relationships or better finances, until we see firsthand how the presence of mind and calmness produced by meditation can help us be more loving and make better decisions. All our problems are related — not just because we are alcoholics, but because we are human. So all our solutions are related for the same reasons.
Philosophical Help Is Fine, but What About Real Help for Real Problems?
Alright, so in principle the 12-Steps can help with all your problems, but what about the nitty-gritty details? Yes, they can help with all those, too. The writer of the book of Alcoholics Anonymous promises that after adopting the 12-Step way of life, he received “the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems.” The solution that worked for him works for us as well. He goes even further to say that after he committed to a life in recovery, he made the important discovery that “spiritual principles would solve all my problems.”
The 12-Steps introduce us to spiritual principles that have infinite utility. It may not seem like a spiritual basis for living can make us better employees or better family members, but those of us in recovery can readily tell you that they do. More importantly, our lives can demonstrate the truth of this. But seeing is believing for many of us — so if you are an alcoholic or addict who isn’t sure if the 12-Steps can really help with all your problems, then give it an honest try and find out.
If you are in recovery and stumped by a problem that you can’t overcome, take that problem through the 12-Steps, pray, meditate, hit a meeting, ask for help, then help someone else. Experience says that your problem, whatever it is, will at the very least improve if not get solved.
Yes, the 12-Steps can really solve all your problems — all your problems. There’s no misinformation in the book of Alcoholics Anonymous. And though there are different interpretations, the passages quoted here are pretty clear. In life, there is much inter-connectedness. Properly dealing with our alcoholism and addiction and learning how to achieve long-term recovery can address many of our other problems as we tackle the major issues.
Life will still have problems and hiccups, but the same recovery process that solves our addiction will produce solutions for the other areas of life as well. Patience, hope, and consistent application of the principles of recovery have yet to let down those of us who’ve really tried it.
Alcoholism and addiction can quickly drain us of our hope for a better life. Finding your way to long-term recovery can restore that hope and get you started on addressing your other life problems. For many, the 12-Steps contain solutions to all their problems — and we can show you how. If you are struggling with maintaining long-term sobriety, please reach out to Jaywalker Lodge. We know what you are going through, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. To learn more, call us today at (866) 529-9255.
