You probably did not come to this blog expecting to read about cars. That’s fair enough, but if you stick with us, we promise to drive home (see what we did there?) some key comparisons between automobiles and the recovery journey. Let’s start our engines.
For many folks, a car is simply an important tool for getting from one place to another. Often, they are purchased with practical considerations in mind, like cost, safety ratings, and seating capacity. But many people also have a car that they absolutely love—even if they are unlikely to ever own that car.
For some, that car might be a vintage Ford Mustang or Thunderbird. Others love the Pontiac Firebird or the Chevrolet Corvette. Still others are enthusiastic about the Porsche 911, the Lamborghini Espada, or the Aston Martin DB5. We could, of course, go on and on identifying the kinds of cars that get people’s hearts revving.
When you talk about cars like the ones above, you generally need to identify the “make” (Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, etc.) and the “model” (Mustang, Corvette, Firebird). You can further identify a specific car by including the model year. The 1964 ½ Mustang, for example.
We want to suggest that you can think of your recovery in terms of make, model, and model year, too.
The Make Is Foundational
As we have pointed out, many people are fond of specific cars, but it is also the case that folks often have favorite car manufacturers, too. That is to say, they are fans of Ford or Chevy or Porsche as a whole. These car fans have a foundational preference for cars built by a given company.
When it comes to recovery, we think there is a best “make”—a recovery grounded in full abstinence from drugs or alcohol and a commitment to making good choices that will keep you moving forward. Arguably, those are the things that truly define recovery at its most essential level—just as a car company might be defined by certain choices or characteristics that are common to all of its vehicles.
The Model Might Vary
Say you and a friend are talking about your favorite cars and realize you are both Ford fans. You have that in common, but when it comes to different models of Ford’s vehicles, you might have very different preferences. One of you might be a fan of the Model T from the early days of automobiles, while the other might be a fan of the Ford Fiesta ST.
In terms of your recovery, the different “models” might represent the different ways each individual approaches the recovery journey. Some might find that an emphasis on physical well-being via diet and exercise is the best way for them to keep cravings at bay and to stay motivated in recovery. Others may find that mindfulness exercises, journaling, focusing on getting quality sleep—or a combination of these things and many others—is the most effective approach to ongoing recovery.
Despite focusing on different details, these “models” of recovery are still connected by their “make”—that commitment to avoiding drugs and alcohol altogether and to making good choices in other areas of life.
The Model Year Acknowledges that Things Change
If you watched a video showing all the Ford Mustang models released since the mid-1960s, you would immediately see a lot of variation over the years. That is true for nearly every model of car you might name. Car makers are always trying to create versions of their cars that will appeal to today’s buyers, and that means drawing from trends in design, for example, to keep a car looking “current.”
Your recovery efforts might undergo some changes over time, too. To use one of our earlier examples, you might find that journaling serves you well in the early days, months, or even years of recovery. Later on, you may find it less useful for one reason or another and might replace it with another activity that meets your needs at that time. At some point, you might find that journaling appeals to you again and so reintroduce it to your recovery routines.
Getting Treatment Is the Starting Line for Recovery
Located near Wichita, Kansas, Bel Aire Recovery Center provides personalized treatment plans for individuals struggling with a substance use disorder. We also treat mental health disorders—like depression, anxiety, or issues grounded in traumatic experiences—that may be entangled with a person’s use of drugs or alcohol.
Treatment includes medically supervised detoxification and a rehabilitation program designed to provide the resources, strategies, and support you need to successfully get your recovery journey underway. We are also committed to offering ongoing support to those who have gone through treatment at Bel Aire.
Trying to reclaim your life without addressing issues with drugs or alcohol is like trying to drive a car that does not have an engine. When you are ready to put yourself back behind the wheel of your life, we are here to help.
