“Meetings are for people who are weak. I’m different. I don’t need help. I’m fine on my own.” In early recovery, you might have engaged in “stinking thinking” like this in order to exert control—and to avoid relying on your Higher Power or others for help. As you gain more wisdom in recovery, you will begin to spot stinking thinking right away because you will see it as flawed and dishonest. But stay aware because stinking thinking can creep back into your consciousness in subtle ways that you might not notice at first. For example, you might catch yourself thinking, “If others had this many problems, they’d use too.”
Remember that the Big Book calls addictive substances “cunning, baffling, powerful.” It takes diligence and honest work to overcome that stranglehold. To avoid addictive thinking, you need to stay aware on a daily basis. If you make an honest evaluation of your thinking, you may find some lies, denial, and rationalization. This requires extreme self-honesty.
Action for the Day
Make a list of your stinking thinking from the past week. Describe what you could do to spot stinking thinking more quickly. Make a commitment to yourself to stay drug-free.
Thought for the Day
“I will not let a cunning chemical take control of my life.”
