Choosing Sobriety: What Happens When We Recover Out Loud

When we recover out loud, we speak life to those suffering in silence.

We love a good redemption story, especially when we can see ourselves as the main character. After fighting our inner demons and walking with our heads held high, it feels good to share that story with others.

On Positive Recovery MD, Dr. Jason Powers and Julie DeNofa chatted with Kristin Landrum about overcoming the reluctance to choose sobriety, the importance of being open about our recovery journey, and how recovery helps us pick up our broken pieces for a bigger picture.

Kristin's story

Kristin shared her vulnerable story of how she spiraled into years of drug and alcohol addiction after her first experience with alcohol at age 11. Today, she is living alcohol- and drug-free and is the mother of an 11-year-old daughter. She believes that simply being available for others and sharing her sobriety story can help others find their own recovery.

The incredible thing about shining a light on the dark parts of our story is that our past no longer has a tight grip on our future. Opening up about where we have been lessens the heavy load we have been carrying for so long. Choosing sobriety creates a world of opportunity.

We allow ourselves the freedom to be human

For many of us, we chose the bottle to suppress any negative thoughts or emotions. Instead of acknowledging the feeling and where it comes from, we would rather ignore and self-medicate to numb the pain. The problem with stifling our feelings with drugs or drink is that we disable our ability to be fully human.

One of the beautiful things about being human is the wide range of emotion we carry. Joy, remorse, love, sorrow. Whatever the emotion, positive or negative, it is part of us. When we recover out loud, we allow ourselves the freedom to be human.

Life can be messy and unpredictable. It can also be beautiful and fulfilling. When we choose addiction over being present with our emotion, we silence the bad and inadvertently block the good. We rob ourselves of the joys and simple pleasures of life. By choosing sobriety, we promise ourselves a better future, one with the full range of emotion. We get our humanity back when we choose a life worth living for.

We exchange guilt and shame for ownership and responsibility

When we recover out loud, we free ourselves from guilt and shame. Whether it is voices from our past or people in our lives who cannot separate who we are from what we have done, guilt and shame lock us out of our full potential. They keep us in the dark and silence our voices.

When we take full responsibility for our actions, we can learn from past mistakes and choose better in the future. When we take complete ownership, we can admit our faults and operate from our strengths. By accepting our past and letting go of who we used to be, we claim victory over our future. When we recover out loud, we exchange guilt and shame for ownership and responsibility.

We give others permission to choose recovery

Hurt people hurt people. But healed people bring healing to others. By giving ourselves a second chance through our own healing journey, we create room for others to do the same. Recognizing we are not alone in our story lets us link arms with others and pursue healing together. When we recover out loud, we give others permission to choose recovery.

Choosing to recover out loud is one of the most courageous and selfless things we can do for one another. With our arms open, we proclaim victory over our futures together. Through acts of bravery and vulnerability, we say: I have been where you are. Yes, it is hard. Life can be painful and messy. That does not negate the beauty of it. It may feel dark right now, but believe me, there is freedom through recovery.

Need help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call us at 713-904-4699. We have a full continuum of care from medical detox through aftercare and outpatient locations across Texas.

A new life in recovery may just be a phone call away.