Second Chances and Addiction Recovery
I know that my situation as a dispirited alcoholic who felt irreversibly mired in meaninglessness, loneliness, aimlessness, and hopelessness, though dire in its own right, was significantly less dire than what many folks experience. That being said, there are certain factors and insights which proved invaluable for me and perhaps may prove helpful for others who, like I once was, are desperately longing to reclaim their lives.
For me, taking advantage of my second chance and recovering from my alcohol addiction were very closely connected. Neither of them would have proved successful on their own. I had long given up hope of ever having a healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling life until a totally unexpected spiritual epiphany restored my hope and gave me a second chance.
1. Second chances can appear out of nowhere and provide unexpected hope for folks who
are desperately struggling with seemingly irreversible aspects of their lives (education,
career, relationships, behaviors, etc.,).
2. With God’s Grace and the lovingkindness of others, there is always hope that your
circumstances, regardless how dire, can change and that you can indeed go on to lead
healthy, rewarding lives just as countless others in similar circumstances have done.
3. Be ready when your second chance arrives. If you’ve already had 2nd , 3rd , 4th chances, be
ready when the next one arrives.
4. Never give up hoping that you will get another chance.
5. Taking advantage of my second chance was like my moment in a “Texas hold’em” poker
game when I push all of my chips into the middle of the pot and say “I’m all in.”
6. The second-chance journey involves radical change which at times is very scary and full
of uncertainty regardless of its intended healthy outcome. Nothing less than a total
commitment is needed to stay on course.
7. For me, pursuing my miraculous second chance soon brought me face-to-face with the
harsh reality that I needed to stop drinking or it was just a matter of time before I would
crash and burn and never recover. It was now or never.
8. Admitting how desperate your situation has become, reaching out for assistance, and
being totally committed to whatever is required for your recovery are essential yet
extremely difficult first steps. Give yourself credit for getting this far.
9. If it becomes apparent that certain assistance programs or particular professionals, family
members, or friends aren’t helping you, seek out others until you find the resources you
need.
10. Along the way, I needed to let go of certain relationships, habits, etc., which had become
incongruent with my transformation and where my second chance and recovery were
taking me.
11. Remember that your second-chance journey and everything which it entails will take
time. Be patient with yourself. Stay focused on taking one-day-at-a-time and even one-
breath-at-a-time on extra tough days. Trust the process. Never give up hope.
12. The second-chance journey never really ends. Stay vigilant and don’t ever become
complacent about your new sense of well-being. Be aware that old destructive habits
never truly die.
13. Make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle with some good supportive relationships
which minimize your risk of ever relapsing.
14. Never hesitate to reach out for help should the need arise. And it will arise.
15. Cultivate attitudes such as compassion, empathy, equanimity, generosity, and gratitude.
16. When the time feels right, look for ways to give back. After all, you could never have got
this far without the help of countless others.
17. Helping others can prove not only invaluable for them but is also a crucial part of your
own ongoing personal development.
18. Remember daily how blessed you are as things could have turned out much differently.
For me, taking advantage of my second chance and recovering from my alcohol addiction were very closely connected. Neither of them would have proved successful on their own. I had long given up hope of ever having a healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling life until a totally unexpected spiritual epiphany restored my hope and gave me a second chance.
1. Second chances can appear out of nowhere and provide unexpected hope for folks who
are desperately struggling with seemingly irreversible aspects of their lives (education,
career, relationships, behaviors, etc.,).
2. With God’s Grace and the lovingkindness of others, there is always hope that your
circumstances, regardless how dire, can change and that you can indeed go on to lead
healthy, rewarding lives just as countless others in similar circumstances have done.
3. Be ready when your second chance arrives. If you’ve already had 2nd , 3rd , 4th chances, be
ready when the next one arrives.
4. Never give up hoping that you will get another chance.
5. Taking advantage of my second chance was like my moment in a “Texas hold’em” poker
game when I push all of my chips into the middle of the pot and say “I’m all in.”
6. The second-chance journey involves radical change which at times is very scary and full
of uncertainty regardless of its intended healthy outcome. Nothing less than a total
commitment is needed to stay on course.
7. For me, pursuing my miraculous second chance soon brought me face-to-face with the
harsh reality that I needed to stop drinking or it was just a matter of time before I would
crash and burn and never recover. It was now or never.
8. Admitting how desperate your situation has become, reaching out for assistance, and
being totally committed to whatever is required for your recovery are essential yet
extremely difficult first steps. Give yourself credit for getting this far.
9. If it becomes apparent that certain assistance programs or particular professionals, family
members, or friends aren’t helping you, seek out others until you find the resources you
need.
10. Along the way, I needed to let go of certain relationships, habits, etc., which had become
incongruent with my transformation and where my second chance and recovery were
taking me.
11. Remember that your second-chance journey and everything which it entails will take
time. Be patient with yourself. Stay focused on taking one-day-at-a-time and even one-
breath-at-a-time on extra tough days. Trust the process. Never give up hope.
12. The second-chance journey never really ends. Stay vigilant and don’t ever become
complacent about your new sense of well-being. Be aware that old destructive habits
never truly die.
13. Make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle with some good supportive relationships
which minimize your risk of ever relapsing.
14. Never hesitate to reach out for help should the need arise. And it will arise.
15. Cultivate attitudes such as compassion, empathy, equanimity, generosity, and gratitude.
16. When the time feels right, look for ways to give back. After all, you could never have got
this far without the help of countless others.
17. Helping others can prove not only invaluable for them but is also a crucial part of your
own ongoing personal development.
18. Remember daily how blessed you are as things could have turned out much differently.
