Addiction fight training

The first time I went to treatment I completed a ten-day stay, a spin-dry. I came out with a secondary diagnosis of mental illness, a bottle full of pills, and the instructions to take them and go to meetings. My mom asked, “Is it over, are you better now, did they fix you?” I was just as confused as her. I answered, “I guess so.”

My stay at the second treatment was longer, same outcome. My third treatment, I completed both inpatient and the outpatient program, same outcome. This went on for 7 treatments, each one longer and more intensive—same outcome.

Unfortunately, many complete addiction treatments and comes out with a false sense of progress. This misconception is very dangerous because when we get out we feel much better, healthier, stronger, and prepared for the battles ahead. We FEEL like it, but are we ready for the fight?

We tend to think we won after doing everything we were told during treatment. All that work. We must be good, right?

I would go looking for a street fight after watching a few videos about how to punch and kick, but that’s what happens when we think we are done with the training after leaving treatment.

If Addiction Recovery were a martial art, the following gives a different perspective of where you might be at when it comes to progress and skill-set to deal with the “Big Boss”—Life.

Recovery Belt System

Ass Kicked – Detox: Not only is your body recalibrating and freaking out, but your mind may be freaking out as well. Detoxing can be its own trauma. Survive the storm. The body begins to reset. Training has not started yet.

White Belt – Inpatient Treatment – Whether you are sincere about getting sober or are highly motivated be outside pressures, nobody learns good Kung Fu in their living room. Inpatient takes you out of your Using environment and introduces you to different fighting styles with minimal distractions so you can focus on your training while your body is still recalibrating and getting healthier.

Yellow Belt – Outpatient Treatment – Supervised sparring. Practicing your new techniques when life throws different hits. Very repetitious to improve technique and observe others in their practice. Allow yourself to be corrected.

Orange Belt – Pace – Find you rhythm, balance, how much you can safely lift. Figuring out when and who you should be fighting while remaining consistent and stable.

Green Belt – Rigorous Honesty – Distinction between intuition and impulse. Your lies are obsolete and being manipulated is unacceptable. No more hiding. Truth becomes the foundation of recovery.

Blue Belt – Service Mindset – Your ego is no longer the Master. You receive your first missions. Recovery deepens.

Purple Belt – Breathe and Listen – Silence becomes medicine. Righteous guidance comes from your higher power. You begin to sync with life energy. Patience replaces reaction. Wisdom begins forming.

Brown Belt – Trust in Your Favor – Reality continues to shift. Keep up and increase your understanding of the nature of blessings. Faith that the work you’ve done is reshaping your life and you can shed your old identity and patterns.

Black Belt – Obedience to Higher Power – Surrender replaces control. You follow the path rather than forcing it. A different world opens to the one who doesn’t force their preferences.