Michael Cartwright's Blog, page 4

You May Be Powerless Against The Substance… But NOT Powerless to Overcome Addiction

Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author, hosts her own news show on CNN/HLN and is a huge proponent of recovery.  She’s famous for her no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is attitude and outspoken beliefs about addiction and consumerism in America. In her 2009 memoir entitled iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life, Jane admitted for years she hid her own battle with alcoholism. 2012 marks Jane’s 17th year of sobriety as she’s still “working her recovery program.”

Jane lives her life according to the 12 Steps, and is such an inspiring example of Believable Hope; once she realized she was powerless against alcohol (the first process in the 12 steps) she a newfound sense of freedom that motivated her sobriety.

In my book, I talk about how I also believe in the 12-Step program and apply its philosophy when treating my own patients. Once Jane hit bottom, she decided to get sober, regardless her “high-functioning alcoholism” (she was an alcoholic who’d binge drink and black out, but was still highly successful in her job and personal life). With the help of her good friends (Essential Element #3: Surround yourself with winners!) and the 12 steps, she learned “the mind is completely a low defense against a real addictive craving.”

Many 12-Step programs use the acronym HALT: feeling hungry, angry, lonely and tired. Those feelings, if improperly managed, can easily lead to relapse. Jane, who had a predisposition to alcohol by watching her parents drink throughout her childhood, also kept her sexuality hidden for years, which led to improper management of those emotions and fueled her alcoholism.

Today, Jane uses a healthy combination of humor…

“I think laughter is the ultimate intoxication. And that’s why I enjoy recovery, is that I’m always laughing with my sober buddies. And when you’re laughing, you’re naturally high. So I think that really that is part of the solution.”

…and spirituality…

“You have to reorder your life. Instead of being about ego and fear, you have to be of service. I get down on my knees every day and pray, help me to be of service, to do something positive, to make life better for somebody else, or some other creature on this planet… This is a spiritual disease, and it requires a spiritual solution. “

…to maintain the life she loves.

If you follow the 5 Essential Elements, you will succeed at beating addiction. This is the solution. Let Jane be just one example of Believable Hope .  

Josh Hamilton, MLB Star: A True Tale of Believable Hope

Josh Hamilton has been a force in baseball since he was drafted at 18, though sadly, his battle with addiction has been publicized as much as his athleticism.

Josh’s powerful story is definitely one of Believable Hope; after years of struggling off the field as a Texas Ranger, certain factors ultimately came together to help him transform his life:

Important, encouraging people in his life
His strong connection with God
An undying love of the game.

Even a recent relapse hasn’t stopped Josh on his journey to lifelong sobriety.

In 1999, the same year Josh was drafted as the #1 overall pick to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, he got his first craving for alcohol and cocaine. He spent the following years sufferering various physical injuries that held him back from playing, which led him to the party scene where he dove deeper into full-blown addiction. After attempting treatment to no avail, he was indefinitely banned from baseball for violating the MLB’s drug treatment and prevention program in 2005. So, he went on a crack binge; this was the “bottom” he so desperately needed.

A connection to God  

Josh’s grandmother took him in when his drug addiction ruined his career and tore apart his marriage, though his wife was vigilant in sticking by his side in motivating him to get clean. His grandmother instilled in him Believable Hope through a connection to God that he believes resulted in getting clean, getting his wife back and returning to baseball. He’s now a five-time MLB All-Star and American League Most Valuable Player of 2010. This year, Hamilton became the 16th player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a game, and he received more votes than any other player on the All-Star Game ballot.

Josh maintains the life he loves

Josh spoke publically about his relapse this past February, and said he dealt with setback by studying his attitudes and actions, how and why he slipped and how he can learn from the relapse. As I explain in my book:

Josh’s story is incredible. As he continues on the road to recovery, he also continues to be an outstanding ball player. He serves as a role model for many aspiring athletes and as powerful voice in the Christian community. He takes full accountability for his addictions. And I feel a personal tie because his grandmother, like mine, has been a profound influence on the man he is today. About his transformation, Josh says, “It’s nothing I did except try to make the right choices and let God take over from there.” … Which sounds so close to the adage I say my grandmother exemplified: “If you do your part, God will do His.”

If you follow the 5 Essential Elements, you will succeed at beating addiction. This is the solution. Let Josh be just one example of Believable Hope .

 

What’s Your “Something?”

In 1982, Louis Gossett Jr. earned an Oscar for his role in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” He was high on cocaine throughout the film shoot — and for the majority of the 80s. Louis battled with drugs and addiction due to the anger he felt toward those who discriminated against the color of his skin — anger he consistently took out on himself and his family.

Today, Louis is clean, sober and spiritual, and lives to help others; when he hit rock bottom, he was ready to stop making excuses because of the bad behavior of others, and change himself instead.

My grandmother is a huge part of my book, and a huge part of who I am today. She’d say, “Everyone has something.  Everyone has some challenge to overcome. It is how we deal with that challenge that determines our future and makes all the difference in our lives.” For Louis, his something was the racism-fueled resentment fueling his addictions. And it didn’t help that the people around him at the highest point in his career only egged on his bad behavior (ahem… Essential Element #3: Surround yourself with winners!)

Today, Louis speaks to addicts and young people about drugs, alcohol and racism. He maintains the life he loves (Essential Element #5) by continuing to attend church services, AA or DRA meetings. He says, “There is no such thing as impossible, no matter how far down on the scale a person might be.” This is a guy who denied his addiction for years, and used just about every drug in the book… pretty amazing.

So, ask yourself… what’s your something?

If you follow the 5 Essential Elements, you will succeed at beating addiction. This is the solution. Let Louis be just one example of Believable Hope .

“Relapse” Is Not A Bad Word

Buzz Aldrin was the pilot of Apollo 11, the first manned moon landing in history, and one of the first two men to ever step foot on the moon. A hero! You’d think such an epic feat would only change life for the better, but once his spotlight faded, Buzz struggled with heavy bouts of depression, addiction and attempts at rehabilitation for nearly a decade following his journey to the moon.  In 1978, Buzz finally got clean for good.

How’d he do it?

After his return to Earth, everything changed. The space industry advanced, new work disappeared and alcohol was comfort. Naturally prone to drinking, Buzz tried four weeks in a military psychiatric hospital, AA meetings and even month-long rehabilitation program… but nothing could help him long-term.

And get this: during the late 60s and early 70s, the notion of depression as a mental illness was unaccepted — and Buzz was one of the first internationally known public figures to admit to a mental illness. He continued to struggle with addiction and depression (or co-occurring disorder) while serving as a voice for this new brand of disease.

As I explain in my book, recovery is an ongoing process. It’s not uncommon for an addict to go through rehab programs up to ten times before long-lasting recovery! So here’s what you do: you keep trying. You don’t give up. You accept, and expect, slipups. That’s what recovery maintenance is all about, and it’s the final step in Believable Hope.

Buzz has been quoted as saying, “When I began to see myself for what I really was, and had a group of fellow travelers who knew me for what I was—and were not impressed—I began to take baby steps toward getting well.”

Buzz maintains the life he loves. It’s now been more than 30 years since Buzz Aldrin has had a drink. Relapses are now a part of his recovery story… and you know what? That’s okay.

If you follow the 5 Essential Elements, you will succeed at beating addiction. This is the solution. Let Buzz be just one example of Believable Hope .

A New Mindset: It’s A Recovery Must-Have

Jordin Tootoo was a charming young hockey star, the first athlete of Inuit descent to make the NHL. In 2010, he became an alcoholic, and though he never once hit rock bottom, he himself decided to get help.

Why?

When Jordin became an NHL star and Nashville Predator in 2001, he became a role model who fell prey to the party scene that so often surrounds popular athletes. And since his parents and friends were common drinkers throughout his childhood, it was easy for him to slip into a heavy pattern of binge drinking during his off days. In 2010, Jordin himself admitted he had a problem and was ready to change. He voluntarily entered into inpatient care as part of the NHL’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.

During treatment, Jordin dumped his demons and reflected on his decisions… and with the help of a team of addiction professionals, he found the secret of Believable Hope.

Now that he doesn’t party, Jordin says many of his old drinking buddies are long gone, allowing him to make room for friends who truly care – a testament to Essential Element #3: Surround yourself with winners.

Today, Jordin says, “I’m a better person now. I am a better professional, and I now get things done, rather than procrastinating. I don’t even have a desire to drink anymore. That mental transformation makes all the difference.”

Just because an addict doesn’t hit rock bottom, it doesn’t mean taking steps toward sobriety should be put off. Can you imagine what could have happened he not chosen to seek help when he did? Jordin could have lost his career, family, livelihood… and life.

If you follow the 5 Essential Elements, you will succeed at beating addiction. This is the solution. Let Jordin be just one example of Believable Hope .

From Low Self-Esteem to Beauty Queen

Bree Boyce weighed over 200 pounds and wore a size 18. Three years later, she earned the title of 2011 Miss South Carolina.

How?

Bree Boyce used Believable Hope’s Essential Element #4: she put her plan into action.

In a family of skinny people, Bree was burdened throughout her childhood by what so often plagues those with weight issues: a slow metabolism and love of junk food. Relying on snacks and TV to get her through, Bree grew up with a horrible sense of self-esteem. At school, she assumed the role of “funny fat girl,” hitting 234 pounds when she was just 17. At her heaviest, she went to the doctor.

“If you don’t lose weight, Bree, you’re going to die,” he said, and handed her a parking sticker for the handicapped. And this was Bree’s epiphany. A scary warning and a sticker that hit home were all it took to snap her into Believable Hope.

She established an action plan.

She set short-term goals.

She started working out.

She kept track of her food intake.

She set a goal of losing five pounds within a month.

In three years, Bree lost 112 pounds and went from a size 18 to a size two.  She entered the 2011 Miss South Carolina pageant — and won — and was able to represent her state, her family and herself at the Miss America pageant. She remains active and healthy, and helps young people all over the country by speaking about about healthy eating and exercise.

I describe Bree’s story in my book, but I’m blogging about her here so you can see a first-hand account of the Essential Elements in action. Bree told me, “You can be slim, and still be eating poorly and not getting the nutrition your body needs. “It is about finding that beautiful person you were created to be.” She couldn’t be more right.

Bree Boyce put a plan of action into place. Today she’s reaping the rewards, and helping out a lot of other people, too.

If you follow the 5 Essential Elements, you will succeed at beating addiction. This is the solution. Let Bree be just one example of Believable Hope .