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05/27/2013

The Role of Storytelling in Addiction Rehab: Moving from Past to Future

Home › Blog › Recovery › The Role of Storytelling in Addiction Rehab: Moving from Past to Future

The Role of Storytelling in Addiction Rehab Moving from Past to Future

Sometimes finally admitting your addiction is the act that breaks through the dam that’s been blocking painful memories, and during addiction rehab recovering addicts may feel encouraged to talk. Addiction stories come bubbling forth, an unceasing flow of talk bordering on chatter. The act of speaking can feel cathartic.

But telling story after story can lead to a culture of one-upping, the idea that the next person’s story must beat the last person’s in degree of pain, or shame or some other emotion. One result of this is dishonesty. Recovering addicts may feel pressure to bend the truth in drug or alcohol recovery because they feel like the environment demands it.

In an article entitled “Let Me Tell You a Story” published in The Fix, the author remembers the stories of her father, a man addicted to alcohol. His tales, she writes, were just like those told by recovering addicts she met during her own alcohol recovery:

“All about how everyone’s doing terrible things to them, how bad and mean and horrible their boyfriend/girlfriend/father/mother/daughter/son—you name it—is, how the world is out to get them…Sometimes it feels like a warped competition of whose life is worse. And, of course, these stories serve as evidence for why nothing is going to work.”

Stories of the past, of the painful events of one’s life that drove he or she to abuse alcohol or drugs, often paint the user as a victim. Tales that victimise the speaker strip him of the need to take control of his life and to own up to the decisions that led to addiction.

It is important in drug or alcohol recovery to talk through and understand the actions that brought you to addiction, but not to use these stories as defences against recognising the responsibility you have to change your life. In this way, addition rehab should focus on stories of the future – you know where you’ve come from, but who are the characters in the story of where you’re going?

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Is addiction really a disease
Blog | Recovery

Is Addiction Really a Disease?

Addiction was first classified as a treatable illness by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1956, yet some people still choose to believe that addiction is simply a few poor decisions on part of an individual who lacks ‘will power’. This is not the case, however, and as medical research becomes more involved, doctors and...
02/07/2013
Granting a Voice to the Spouse in Alcohol Recovery
Alcohol Addiction Treatment | Blog

Granting a Voice to the Spouse in Alcohol Recovery

In May of this year, the Guardian started a column for the spouse of a recovering alcohol addict. Titled “A Marriage in Recovery” and written in a very personal style, the column offers readers an often pushed aside voice: someone caught in the tangle of a loved one’s addiction and alcohol recovery. Abbreviating his or...
07/16/2013
Alumni Update Amazing Experience
Blog | Recovery

Alumni Update: Amazing Experience

I’ve been clean and sober for 14 months and 15 days and seriously owe my life to The Cabin in more ways than one. The Cabin was such an amazing experience for me that I know I’ll never forget and will always appreciate. The facilities, food and activities are what you’d expect at a resort,...
10/01/2015
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Chiang Mai, Thailand 50140

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  • Home
  • What We Treat
    • Addiction
      • Alcohol Addiction Treatment
      • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Amphetamine Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • GHB Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Ecstasy Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
      • Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment
    • Mental Health
      • Anxiety treatment programme
      • Depression treatment programme
      • Co-treating Addiction and Trauma Disorders
      • Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
    • Behavioral Addiction
      • Co-Occurring Disordered Eating Treatment
      • Internet Addiction Treatment
      • Rehab for Gambling Addiction Treatment
  • Our Programme
    • Changing Pathways Addiction Programme
      • Physical Therapy
    • The Kintsugi Programme
    • Disordered Eating Programme
    • Continuing Care
    • Recovery House at The Cabin
    • Sunday Excursions
  • About Our Rehab
    • About the Cabin
    • Accommodation and Facilities
    • Gallery
    • The Cabin Group
    • Our Team
    • Client Testimonials
    • In The Press
    • Blogs
  • Admissions
    • Admissions Process
    • How Rehab Works at The Cabin
    • Online assessment
    • FAQ
    • Family Advice
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Referring a Client