Restoring the Drug Addict to Sanity

For those suffering from drug addiction, the last thing they want to admit is that their drugging has caused them to be "insane" The definition of insanity, to many, is repeating the same behavior over and over again, expecting different results. For example, the addict who needs a fix, a smoke, the pipe first thing in the morning, may find that by taking that first drug only results in progressive using throughout the day, into the night until they run out of money or the like. As insane as addicts can be when in the grips of the disease of addiction, the addict may really believe they can still have that first fix the next morning, hoping to yield a different result, maybe they believe they can stop after the first fix or two, maybe they believe they can continue using "normally" and not to excess that eventually leads to dire consequences. Most times, the addict will not be successful in their attempts to control their using. That is what we call "insanity".
Many addicts have found the answer through the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous. Restoring the addict to sanity is practiced through Step Two of Narcotics Anonymous.

"We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."

As the addict approaches this step, they begin to consider that maybe, just maybe, there is a Power Greater than themselves - a Power capable of healing their hurt, calming their confusion, and restoring their sanity. The addict learns and understands that finding this "Higher Power" doesn't mean they have to be religious. That's far from the truth, the addict learns that the 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual, not religious program. As the addict remains clean and continues to work Step Two, they discover that no matter how long their addiction has gone on and how far their insanity has progressed, there is no limit to the ability of a "Higher Power" restoring them to sanity. There is help for the drug addict.

Restoring the Alcoholic to Sanity

For the alcoholic, the last thing they want to admit is that their drinking has caused them to be "insane" The definition of insanity, to many, is repeating the same behavior over and over again, expecting different results. For example, the alcoholic who needs a drink first thing in the morning, may find that by taking that first drink only results in progressive drinking throughout the day, into the night until they blackout. As insane as alcoholics can be when in the grips of the disease of alcoholism, the alcoholic may really believe they can still have that first drink the next morning, hoping to yield a different result, maybe they believe they can stop after the first drink or two, maybe they believe they can continue drinking "normally" and not to excess that eventually leads to a blackout. Most times, the alcoholic will not be successful in their attempts to control their drinking. That is what we call "insanity".
Many alcoholics have found the answer through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Restoring the alcoholic to sanity is practiced through Step Two of Alcoholics Anonymous.

"We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."

As the alcoholic approaches this step, they begin to consider that maybe, just maybe, there is a Power Greater than themselves - a Power capable of healing their hurt, calming their confusion, and restoring their sanity. The alcoholic learns and understands that finding this "Higher Power" doesn't mean they have to be religious. That's far from the truth, the alcoholic learns that the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is a spiritual, not religious program. As the alcoholic remains sober and continues to work Step Two, they discover that no matter how long their drinking has gone on and how far their insanity has progressed, there is no limit to the ability of a "Higher Power" restoring them to sanity. There is help for the alcoholic.