Now is the Time for Clean Thinking

Clean thinking is a sign of recovery.  Stinking thinking signals relapse. Clean thinking is a sure sign that people are self-aware.  They readily admit that their perceptions and behaviour have been shaded and muddled by their addictive disease.  They are not afraid or ashamed to admit their faults and weaknesses because they know they possess the potential to transform their faults into the positive opposites that can enhance their recovery. Clean thinking folk are honest – not just with other people.  They are honest with themselves.  They are honest about their disease and about the time and effort that positive recovery requires.  They know they don’t have all the answers and they accept that they can’t always be right.

Clean thinking sojourners are eager to learn – especially about their potential to recover from their addictive disease and to lead a healthy and happy life.  Stinking thinkers are characteristically unaware.  They feel like victims, denying the role their own behaviour plays in their problems.  It is always everyone else’s fault! They are selfishly unaware of the needs of others and unaware of the impact their behaviour has on their loved ones. Sound familiar? Maybe it’s time for some tough love. Stinking thinking is a cycle that needs to be broken, or else it gets worse. Clean thinking is done by those who accept responsibility for their recovery.  Stinking thinkers blame their problems on others. Clean thinking people are visibly open-minded.  That, putting it mildly. Stinking thinkers are closed, frightened and defensive.  Which are we?  Are we clean thinkers or stinking thinkers? Can we agree or disagree with these statements?

STINKING THINKING VS CLEAN THINKING STATEMENTS:

1. I’m proud of my ability to talk myself out of tight spots.
2. Counselling has failed for me because I discovered I was smarter than my counselor.
3. I don’t need a support group to stay straight, because I’ve learned just about everything I need to know and I’ll be able to spot any trouble signs if they come up.
4. Half my problems would be solved if other people would get off my case and treat me right.

Could we agree with even one of these statements?  Could we recognize the symptoms of insincerity, arrogance, rationalizing and self-centeredness implicit in these statements?

Remember:  The first and most important step to clean thinking is awareness.

In recovery, we seek and walk with awareness every day of our lives, opening ourselves to new experiences and healthy methods of coping with life’s problems.  We don’t run or hide, we don’t lie and bluster.  We humbly accept the responsibility for our own well-being, vigilantly examining our daily behaviour for symptoms of stinking thinking and relapse. This comes through awareness. Denial runs paradoxically to awareness and truth, the very thing that will set an addict free.

All we really need to do to become clean thinkers is to learn to ask ourselves a few questions:  “Am I being honest?  Am I being realistic?  Am I being accountable for my actions?  Am I being accepting and open?”

These questions challenge stinking thinking.  If we can answer yes, or if we’re willing to seek the wise counsel of someone who is experienced in clean thinking, we have the solid footing we need for recovery.  With this awareness, we can commit ourselves to positive action.  We can transform ourselves with each new day.  We can recover!

Send an email inquiry for further details about drug addiction treatment to info@pathwaysplettrehab.co.za or call us on +27 44 533 0330. We are here to help with unique, world class wellness and drug addiction treatment.