The Voice of Addiction
Copied from my Newsletter Column.
If you are an addict, chances are you know about the little voice. What’s the little voice? You know, that whisper in the back of your mind telling you it’s going to be okay. Sadly, it’s not going to be okay unless you learn how to slap the little voice into silence.
Way back, more than twenty years ago, the little voice would tell me that I could have drugs and my family. I wanted to believe the lie more than anything. You see, I was cheating on my family. I had a new love, and her name was Euphoria. And what an evil b***h she was.
Are you lying to yourself? Is the voice of addiction telling you that everything will be okay? Can you stop tomorrow? Will the sanction not be too severe? You will not go to jail, maybe residential treatment but not to prison? Can you claim to have Covid-19 and stay in quarantine for two weeks?
The holidays can be a struggle for so many reasons. The current Global Pandemic is undoubtedly making things worse for everyone. More than ever, this is the time to use all of the tools you’ve acquired through treatment. If allowed to speak unchecked, the voice of addiction will whisper you straight to prison or a casket.
Do not lie to yourself. Do not tell yourself that you can do it tomorrow. There’s a fantastic sober life waiting for you. The path leading to that life is paved with the truth.
Joseph Shanklin
December 4, 2020
ShankJoeJoe 