The Importance of Honesty in Recovery

Honesty

Why are honesty and integrity such an important part of recovery? Because they are some of the first things to go when someone is caught up in an addiction.

At first, it starts out small like downplaying the number of drinks that were had the night before but over time the lies begin to escalate. The 20 dollars that were borrowed for gas? Was actually spent on drugs. The reason for the late arrival to work? Hangover, not car problems.

Lying begins to become necessary to maintain a lifestyle of addiction. If the truth were told then loved ones would begin to worry. Once people begin to worry they will eventually ask for some changes to be made. Things begin to snowball and more and more lies become necessary to cover up the previous lies.

In the beginning, there is usually guilt associated with lying to loved ones which turns into yet another justification to drink or use in order to bury that guilt. After time it becomes just another ordinary part of addiction, done without a second thought because it becomes second nature. Eventually people even begin to lie to themselves.

“I’m not that bad off. It’s ok I missed work. It’s my life and my actions don’t impact anyone else but me.”

This becomes the most dangerous part, once someone is at the point of lying to themselves it becomes even more difficult to turn things around. This is why it becomes necessary to get honest in recovery. The truth may be painful at times, but it is the only way to begin the process of rebuilding the damage that has been done.

This is why the Personal Values Course is often times a major turning point for people doing the Narconon Program. It requires a person to take a deep look at themselves, it requires honesty and it requires the development of personal responsibility. This process can be difficult but it reveals the destructive patterns of addiction and the far-reaching consequences of those patterns. The first step in changing a negative habit is realizing that it is there in the first place. The first step in taking responsibility is owning up to the fact that it needs to be done. The foundation for healing is acknowledging that there was pain that needed to be healed in the first place.

It is only by taking a serious look at our behaviors, ourselves and the impact that we have on those around us that we are able to grow and change for the better. That being said, honesty is not only an important part of recovery… it is a non-negotiable part of overcoming addiction.

girl writing

After the completion of each portion of the Narconon Program, people are asked to write up any wins that they have gotten out of completing it. Below are some of the wins that people have experienced from this process.

“The Personal Values Course helped me realize how many lies I have told to the ones I love. I now understand how this negative behavior blinded me and only lead to a false image of an irrational lifestyle. I have made an oath to myself that, no matter what, I tell the truth. This will help me to confront any issues I have in the future.”
—Derrick, Narconon Colorado graduate
“Taking responsibility for my past was rough. It was difficult to see that I was a good person until I became addicted to drugs and completely lost myself. I did things that I never thought I would and it was not easy to relive them. I do believe writing these out is absolutely necessary to remain sober. It feels good to take responsibility for my actions and in turn, move on from them. I feel both physically and mentally lighter and I look forward to getting back to the good person I know I once was.”
Juliana, Narconon Colorado graduate.
“While doing the personal values portion of this program I was able to get things off my chest and mind. I realized that in all areas covered I had done things I am not proud of. With that being said I feel that I can now move on from those things and have a better understanding of the people, places and things around me.”
—Scott, Narconon Colorado graduate

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AUTHOR

Julie

After overcoming her own addiction in 2012 Julie went on to become certified as an addiction counselor in order to help others achieve a life of recovery. She worked in the addiction field for 8 years and now uses both her personal and professional experiences with addiction as an influence for her writing.

NARCONON COLORADO

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION