Addiction recovery often presents quite a few challenges and difficulties. Those who are working to overcome substance abuse may find that it’s hard to stay the course. But, fortunately, there are multiple characteristics that can help to make the recovery process much easier and effective. When individuals develop and exhibit honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness in recovery, the outcome can be nothing short of wonderful.
Being honest, open, truthful, and willing to change can make all the difference when it comes to addiction recovery. With these characteristics, individuals can make the changes necessary to overcome substance use disorders for good.
Understanding H.OW. and Its Relationship With Addiction Recovery
“We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. Willingness, honesty and open-mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.” (Appendix II, “Spiritual Experience”, Alcoholics Anonymous, page 567-568)
This quote from the big book lays out what individuals need to begin and remain in recovery. The acronym H.O.W. stands for Honesty, Open-mindedness, and Willingness. Success in recovery has been stated as being an “inside job”. H.O.W. is instrumental in pulling recovery from the inside out.
Honesty in Addiction Recovery
It is often difficult for recovering addicts to maintain honesty and integrity. After all, it’s likely that the lifestyle they lived while actively carrying out a life of substance addiction was not conducive to honesty. Denial frequently and relentlessly stands in the way of achieving sobriety.
Sadly, people who are suffering from addiction often tell themselves that their struggle with substance abuse is “not that bad”. Addiction leads them to believe that they “really don’t abuse substances that much” or that they are not actually addicts. The truth is that people who suffer from substance abuse often lie to themselves and to others.
In many cases, this dishonesty is definitely unintentional; drugs and alcohol have a way of altering what a person truly thinks and believes. Sometimes, however, people who struggle with substance abuse are dishonest in an effort to protect their addiction because they simply cannot fathom living without it.
Rigorous honesty is recommended in recovery because, without it, recovering individuals may start the practice of finding it easier and easier to lie about drinking and using to ourselves to others.
Step 1 is about honesty. If struggling individuals can admit that they are “powerless and that their lives have become unmanageable”, then they can truly start off on the right foot of honesty in recovery. This opens the door to help recovering addicts become more honest in other areas of their lives.
Open-Mindedness in Substance Abuse Recovery
If you have begun a life of recovery, then you have started the process of having an open mind. Getting sober is not the natural way for addicts to live. Recovering individuals often feel caught in the insanity of figuring out where they will get the next high. In recovery, open-mindedness starts with getting sober and then extends into other places in recovery. Taking suggestions is more advantageous for us when it comes to being open-minded.
One of the ways that can help us advance in our recovery is through spiritual means. Spirituality can be difficult to accept with many recovering addicts. Having an open mind to these kinds of subjects can help build a foundation upon which to grow in recovery.
Willingness in Recovery
Willingness means giving your consent to begin. It only takes a little bit of initiative to start on the path of recovery. If you have a small amount of willingness, it will make the process easier. Those who come into recovery kicking and screaming or with reservations will likely have a harder time adapting to a recovery lifestyle. Willingness makes individuals more susceptible to going the extra mile in their recovery.
Honesty, Open-Mindedness, and Willingness Can Make All The Difference
When it comes to recovery from addiction, many individuals struggle to work through the inevitable challenges that arise along the way. It can be difficult to work through these moments. However, having the right mindset on the journey to recovery can make all the difference and help facilitate success.
Part of having a good mindset in recovery is having a heart that is open and honest. Being truthful throughout your recovery will enable you to genuinely convey your feelings, emotions, and experiences. It will also allow you to successfully evaluate your needs and recognize your challenges for what they are. It isn’t always easy to understand your own emotions. But, as you strive to be honest, open-minded, and willing to change throughout your journey to recovery, you’ll find that things become more manageable.
Although recovery from substance abuse is far from “easy”, having the right mindset can help you tremendously. Life is all about learning from your mistakes, growing through what you go through, and adopting healthier habits. While you move toward a life that is free from addiction, you will find that the opportunities to learn and grow will continue to present themselves. It’s important to use these moments to your advantage, choosing to be honest with yourself and others, be open-minded about your future, and become willing and ready to pursue a better life.
Allow Harmony Place to Help You Pursue Addiction Recovery!
Here at Harmony Place, we offer treatment and, in turn, hope and healing to those who suffer from addiction. We understand the struggles and obstacles our clients are facing. Recovery is a journey filled with many ups and downs. But, we want to be with our patients every single step of the way!
In our efforts to help those dealing with substance abuse, we provide various treatment services, including the following:
- Detox
- Residential Treatment
- Outpatient Treatment
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Day Programs
- Transitional Living
- Aftercare and Alumni Programs
Individuals who enroll in our rehab program will find that Harmony Place offers the best of care and compassion.
Recovering From Addiction at Harmony Place
Detox
Detoxification is often the first part of the addiction treatment process. In many cases, individuals go through what is known as “withdrawal”. This is characterized by unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms. Thankfully, throughout our detox program here at Harmony Place, you can begin your journey to recovery safely and worry-free.
As a result of a professional detox program, you can begin to focus on overcoming addiction and finding your way to a life of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness.
Residential Treatment
During the residential phase of the continuum of care, you can begin to develop a healthy outlook. Throughout residential treatment, our clients can become more comfortable as they receive 24/7 access to medical and professional treatment services.
Outpatient Treatment
This type of addiction treatment program allows patients to live at home while still receiving treatment services for several hours per week. While in outpatient treatment, recovering individuals can overcome substance abuse as they continue to tend to other responsibilities in their lives. This may present even more opportunities for people to use honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness in the “real world”.
Aftercare and Alumni Programs
Those in recovery can continue to implement honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness as they begin their lives outside of treatment. Thankfully, individuals can also continue to receive support and guidance throughout this next chapter of their lives. Aftercare programs and alumni programs can help to keep individuals engaged in a supportive community. It can also provide people with accountability, a necessary component of successful recovery journeys.
Allow Harmony Place to Help You Fight and Overcome Addiction Today!
Have you found yourself wondering how you will ever get past alcoholism? Are you struggling to imagine a life without drug abuse? Do you sometimes feel hopeless, helpless, and ashamed because of your substance use?
Please know that there is hope for you! Help and healing are available through addiction treatment here at Harmony Place! With the assistance of our addiction treatment specialists, you can find your way to a life that is free from addiction and the guilt and shame that come with it.
There’s no need to wait any longer. Let us help you as you move forward in your recovery. We are here to assist and support you throughout this journey. Please reach out to our compassionate and understanding team here at Harmony Place. We look forward to walking with you every single step of the way!