Not all of my clients struggle with addiction, but sadly, some of them do. Sometimes we don't even know what is causing us to feel this "low, depressed or helpless." After years of working in recovery and endless consultations, I've discovered that there is usually an overindulgence in something that is not serving my clients in a healthy manner. This could be anything from hard drugs & alcohol, to prescription pills & processed foods, to unhealthy relationships. All of these things are scientifically proven as "downers". When we are unknowingly or knowingly using these kinds of things to cope with struggles or stress in our life, we are fogging the progress in our own lives and making it almost impossible to see a light at the end of the tunnel. We sometimes find ourselves slaves to this "coping mechanism."
I struggled with my own addictions even before my car accident. Forced to confront my permanent scars and emotional trauma, I quickly turned to hard drugs. At first it was just for fun, then after some time I realized I was struggling with a real dirty addiction. Like most people, I thought maybe a simple "change of scenery or change in relationships" would help me kick the lifestyle. I traveled and lived in several foreign countries, trying to rid myself of my pain and depression... yet it persisted, inevitably got worse, as did my addiction to hard drugs and other demoralizing behaviors.
Self medicating is simply what I was doing, and after honest consultations with my clients I find it is usually what they are doing as well. With the desire to truly want to change my life and not be dependent on outside sources to cope, I discovered a program that really works and has given me the tools to live an amazing sober, fun and joy filled life. I apply it daily and teach it thoroughly to my clients that need sober coaching.
Acceptance. That is the key word to living a meaningful sober existence. A complete change into a state of acceptance is necessary for the drastic yet exciting life transformation into sobriety. Through my experiences, I have learned that a life without joy is not a life worth living. The Respect Initiative encourages you to create the spark that will ignite your passions for living. Life has struggles and pitfalls, but it is the strength gained through overcoming these obstacles that truly allow us to become great.
Action. An initiative is an intention and an action combined. The Respect Initiative is designed for you to create clear cut goals and from that point, helps you design a personal plan of action to reach each step. This is done by outlining small achievable goals that invariably lead to manifesting your most amazing dreams. Every day a person struggling with substance abuse who is able to maintain sobriety is a miracle. The experience of staying sober is reliant upon the necessary actions one must take to overcome the various dilemmas of drug or alcohol abuse. There is no possiblity a person can change any aspect of their reality without some sort of action. It is in the initiating and carrying through these actions that one may create a meaningful existence.
Attitude. Attitude defines a person's character and how the world will interact with them. I have found that accepting an "attitude of gratitude" allows one to grow and adapt to the world around them in a positive manner. As most people struggling with addictions know, an utmost sincere desire to alter their habits generally creates a sense of willingness born of desperation. This willingness allows one to be more open to escaping old negative thinking when placed in positive environment. The Respect Initiative creates this helpful environment through individual sober consulting and compassionate guidance. By working intimately with clientele and defining and creating what we term as character "assets", clients of the Respect initiative are able to face the challenges of everyday life and live to their utmost potential.
