Fighting Addiction with the Warrior's Spirit

The perils—and pleasures—of living are many. Challenges will always present but, thankfully, so too will joys. At its root, life means living with meaning. In balance. For service and ultimately with love. It is the reason Creator gifted each of us with a warrior's spirit. A warrior in the sense of possessing a particular talent that underscores our life and its ultimate destiny. Sometimes this gift defines who we are but its true design is to sustain us through times of suffering.

While pain is necessary for growth, we humans much prefer pleasure and sometimes we seek it to our own peril. This is where addictions and addictive behaviors can take root.

After a particularly bad day who doesn't find solace in the arms of their beloved, a carton of ice cream or a smooth scotch? These indulgences can have their place and actually be a part of a wholly-lived life but for many of us, the same emotions that make us reach for such comforts are the same ones that can seduce us from a life of sobriety back into addiction. It is then that we really must call upon our warrior spirit.

A warrior in recovery knows that it doesn't take much to disrupt a sober mind than through the stresses of everyday life. Whether you've been in recovery one day or one decade, a return to an addiction, whether to a substance like drugs, booze or food or to a compulsive behavior like gambling, sex, or co-dependency, remains an ever-present threat.

Addiction induces a pain-numbing effect like taking an aspirin for a headache. Unfortunately when overused, the “aspirin” actually causes pain. This prompts a vicious and destructive addictive cycle that can further defeat a person's soul with shame, sorrow and even more suffering.

So how does a recovering warrior remain that way when humanity is in a period of transition, stress is unavoidable and the “remedy” close at hand?

First and foremost, remember you are love and deserving of love. Expertly crafted by the cosmos and divine design, you matter. Your life matters. Call upon Creator to guide you. Listen with an open heart and mind. Pay attention to the messages being sent to you whether its a warm smile from a stranger or a hummingbird dancing at your doorway.

Pay attention. Paying attention is the single most effective way to observe what compels you to return to addictive habits and increases your awareness of how to deal with such triggers. It also helps you channel your warrior spirit to accept that your destiny is worth far more than a momentary thrill.

Be honest with yourself. Addiction likes to assign blame or reasons but the truth is you decide what you will ingest, snort, smoke or do, no one else forces you.

Addiction is a self-entitled seductress. Its not that addiction finds pleasure in your indulgence, its actually that addiction is actively working to destroy you. Why would you feed such a sinister monster? This is the opportunity your inner warrior needs to demonstrate its superiority so feed your body regularly with good, wholesome foods. Give it rest through adequate sleep. Challenge it with intellectual lessons and service to others as well as exercise it regularly to provide the sustained fitness necessary to keep evil at bay.

As with any challenge including the challenge of remaining sober, starting small is the primary way to ensure long-term success. This means staying focused on recovery even if its for the day when you recognize you're vulnerable.

• Learn how to breath and breath deeply: Studies show slow, deep breathing helps provide oxygen to the brain so that thinking is clearer.

• Step-Up: If you're part of a 12-step program, call your sponsor, go to a meeting, or call your therapist or a sober friend who has been supporting your recovery.

• Sweat it out: Box, run, yoga, swim or even dig in the garden to channel the anxiety that precedes acting out on an addiction. Not only will the sweating help cleanse stress toxins but the brain will naturally produce the happy hormones called endorphins.

• Meditate: If meditation is part of your recovery practice, get to that place that quiets your mind. A repetitive chant (either one established by a spiritual leader or one you've developed for that moment) reinforces positive messaging to your subconscious during times of stress.

• Sing, dance or listen to music. Music heals and scientists are discovering growing evidence to support this fact. If dancing is a passion, consider a Nia class offered through many yoga studios. Nia integrates healing dance and music to foster happiness and open chakras.

• Grab the essential oils. For centuries, Shaman's have either massaged or vaporized the oils of chamomile, lavender, bergamot and sage to aid in addiction recovery but any smell you find pleasure in is sure to reduce stress.

The perfection of life is her imperfection. And its these blemishes including our own challenges with sobriety that not only make us unique but develop our empathy and compassion to our sisters and brothers on this earthwalk. Being a warrior isn't about the strength of our bodies as much as it is a strength of our hearts. Be kind to yourself and others for being human but don’t get complacent. Remember that suffering is an opportunity for growth and the more you successfully traverse life's pains, the more joys life will reveal. And ultimately, the longer you'll remain recovered.

Aho.

Painting From Daniel Chayra

About the author 

Sharon Chayra has been covering healthcare, cultural and Native American issues for over two decades. She is half-Apache and half-Scottish but one hundred percent invested in personal development through all modalities that enhance the body, mind, spirit connection.