Jun 19, 2014 | By Tim Stoddart

Does Recovery “Brainwash” People??

Recovery

Most of us in long term recovery have heard some kind of misconception. Some of the stigmas include

  • that guy has no will power.
  • he/she must be some kind of religious zealot.
  • people in recovery are brainwashed
  • that guy used to be so much fun, now he doesn’t drink and he thinks hes better than me.

We usually stay away from controversial topics. However, it is a mission of Sober Nation to educate the public about what recovery is. We have said over and over again that the drugs and alcohol are not the issue. Obviously this country has an unhealthy obsession with drugs and alcohol, but for the most part it is the addict that has the issue. We try to focus on the individual, and of course keep people up to date with current events.

Recently we posted an article about Dr. Gupta and his stance on legalizing marijuana. When we sent the article out on twitter, we got a response. The tweet is seen below.

 

First off, this man is entitled to his opinion. By no means did he hurt my feelings, and we are not writing this in response to his claim. We are writing this simply because we feel it is important for the world to understand what recovery is. We are not brainwashed, some of us are religious but we are not zealots or preachers or weak. When the day comes that people understand what addiction does to a person, hopefully the public will understand.

There is nothing wrong with drinking. I can only speak for myself, but the majority of us believe that marijuana should be legalized. I will be the first one to tell you that many of the experiences I had with drugs and alcohol were great experiences, and I don’t regret it. The difference is, I am an addict. My body and mind react differently to gratification. If men and women enjoy smoking pot, or enjoy a beer after work, why would that offend me? I find it interesting that people are more offended by my sobriety than I am by they’re choice not to be.

The job of Sober Nation is to help those afflicted with addiction. For those of us who have been through it, we know the difference between partying and addiction. We know the difference between smoking a few joints, and being crippled by highly addictive drugs. We know the difference between being hungover after a fun night out, and shaking uncontrollably from alcohol withdrawal. This is why we speak up. Until we speak up, until we can educate people like my friend ‘Colorado Weed’ – then addiction will continue to be our nations most deadly and most expensive health issue.

We know enough to know that we don’t know everything. We know that we speak for all of those in recovery who are too embarrassed or ashamed to be themselves. So we want to know what your thoughts are. We want to know how you feel about this man calling us “a fanatical group of brainwashed idiots.”

Most importantly, what are you going to do to change it?

8 responses to “Does Recovery “Brainwash” People??”

  • Kristine

    10 years ago

    Reply

    Brainwashed? If that’s how you would like to refer to it than I am a very happy participant in that brainwashing. I enjoy a much more healthy and productive and law abiding life due to that brainwashing. I too have no problem with those who can enjoy “a” glass of wine or those who can “just have one”. More power to you. The only feeling I have towards them sometimes is envy for their lack of what makes me an alcoholic but then again thanks to that brainwashing I experienced that feeling is few and far between and quite fleeting as I am able to tap into my brainwashing experience and be eternally grateful for all of the beauty sobriety has given myself and my family. Yes I too feel that non sober people are threatened by my ability to have fun and experience relaxation without the aide of a substance and they really look at me weird when my hubby and I sit at the bar to eat and dont order booze (we really like to eat at the bar rather than a table we always have it’s the best seats in a restaurant people watching good fast seating and service). I’m ok with being referred to as brainwashed. I like what happened to me my life is so much better since it happened. Prior to my brainwashing my life was well let’s say this not what it is today not even close. And come to think of it prior to my brainwashing experience I didn’t think I had a problem (everyone else did) in fact I felt people who had conquered their addiction were brainwashed. Imagine that putting a label on something I feared and knew was wrong with me yet I didn’t want to admit. Brainwashed yep I am.

  • Robert

    10 years ago

    Reply

    I need Recovery. This disease is a Chronic relapsing brain disorder. It’s not a matter of choice for me or a lack of will power. People have to understand that I didn’t ask for this disorder. Recovery allows me to be the best person I can be and that I am not ashamed to be a recovering Alcoholic/addict.

  • JR

    10 years ago

    Reply

    I also needed my brain washed,with that so do most of Americans who are using mind altering at substances.Most are like the frog in a pot of water that is heated slowly,they don’t realize it till there cooked,in other words they never have that moment of clarity.Our society has an industry geared on the suffering of addiction and that’s the way the money people it.That is why once you break the chains of slavery,they try to make you feel like the other/outsider.It is a wonder that most people do not even try and those who have true success at long term sobriety are few and far between ,me =6-04-02 and still going and I pray that I never have to return to being like them THAT TRULY HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED TRUE FREEDOM,good luck to all

  • Beth Emmons

    10 years ago

    Reply

    My brain needed washing! It was doing all kinds of things – on a regular basis – that were not beneficial to me.

  • Aaron Morphet

    10 years ago

    Reply

    If it were as easy as brainwashing, people wouldn’t relapse. We as addicts have to put in real work to say clean it’s not easy. If it were as easy as simply being “brainwashed” I would’ve gladly signed up for it and saved myself many a sleepless night and an endless amount of meetings(which I now fully enjoy attending)

  • Todd

    10 years ago

    Reply

    I agree with these guys. I needed brainwashing. My mind was so twisted by drugs that I thought nearly killing myself every night was normal. What is the bigger problem? The problem of living in a sleazy hotel room half dead and wanting life to end after being drunk and on drugs for 30 years or going to meetings and being brainwashed and happy?

  • William Grey

    9 years ago

    Reply

    If you want to call ,giving us addicts and alcoholics our lives, reality back brainwashing? Hahahaha So Be It!!! If you haven’t lived in it (meaning addiction) U really can’t give an option on it. Hey U are more than welcome to state your opinion but US recovering addicts know better. What you think is just someone’s opinion that doesn’t know the nature of the beast. I just hit day 302clean &sober and I’m looking forward to day 303.That’s something……. After 30or so yrs of addiction ….brainwashing…. How bout we call it soul cleansing That being said 302days ago I 302ed myself &I am grateful for every day that has been given to me from here on forward.
    PEACE

  • Miranda

    9 years ago

    Reply

    I’m all for it. My brain could use a good washing after all the chemicals I’ve had in it 😉

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