Danger Signs and Coping Skills
God made us a promise:
“I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble and my Grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things strong unto them.” (Ether 12: 27)
We can receive that promised blessing if we sincerely want to.
First find, learn and practice coping skills. They will be your strength while you are vulnerable. Addicts do not heal alone. Isolation contributes to their problem by allowing them to act out their fantasies. They need to get involved with others that are traveling the same road and they need that input to find healing.
Give your trusted friends permission to confront you if you are slipping or exposing yourself to any dangerous behaviours. Make a list for you friends to follow when it happens. Keep a copy in your pocket to follow also. Here are a few do’s and don’ts.
1/ Don’t become over confident.
2/ Don’t flirt with being just a little untruthful.
3/ Saying “I can handle this,” is a sure indicator you can’t.
4/ Don’t forget how much work it took to get where you are because it’s harder to get there again if you have to start all over.
5/ It’s impossible to indulge “just temporarily.”
6/ Missing your old life style always sounds good until you remember your old life “problems.”
7/ When you are having a bad day, find someone who is having one that’s worse and help them.
8/ It’s hard to live a healthy life style if you are not a healthy distance from your old life style.
9/ Keep the personal conversation in your head positive if you expect positive behaviour.
10/ Celebrate your new life birthday anniversary often.
11/ Remember why you are struggling.
12/ Your best thinking got you in trouble, remember? Don’t rely on it to get you out of trouble by trying again to do it by yourself.
13/ When you lapse, take responsibility. Learn from your weakness, plan a new strategy and continue.
14/ Don’t believe your own lies. Your addiction has many voices.
15/ Recommit every day until you live your commitment every day.
– Doug Garrett