“Our best thinking got us into trouble… Recovery is an active change in our ideas and attitudes.”
– Basic Text, page 53
In active addiction, the world often felt intolerable. We used substances to escape the discomfort, blaming the world for our problems while failing to recognize the true source of our pain: our own distorted ideas and attitudes. Recovery shifts this perspective, teaching us that our view of the world is shaped by the “eyeglasses” of our attitudes. By cleaning these lenses through the principles of recovery, we learn to see life clearly, finding hope and purpose in a world that once seemed unbearable.
In addiction, our attitudes and beliefs often clouded our perception of reality. Resentment, self-pity, denial, and fear smudged the lenses through which we viewed the world. These distorted perspectives kept us trapped in cycles of self-destruction, isolating us from others and preventing us from taking responsibility for our actions.
We saw the world as hostile, unfair, and impossible to navigate. This view justified our continued use of substances as a way to cope. But the problem wasn’t the world itself—it was the way we interpreted and responded to it. Our “best thinking” led us deeper into despair, reinforcing the need for change.
Recovery offers a new way of seeing the world. Through the Twelve Steps, we learn to examine and adjust our attitudes, replacing harmful beliefs with spiritual principles that bring clarity and peace. This process is akin to cleaning our glasses, allowing us to see life as it truly is rather than through the haze of addiction.
Key principles such as faith, honesty, humility, and responsibility serve as tools for keeping our lenses clean. By practicing these principles, we strip away the distortions that once defined our thinking and gain a clearer understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us.
For example:
Recovery doesn’t just clean our lenses—it also adjusts the prescription. Over time, as we work the steps and engage with the fellowship, our understanding of the world evolves. We develop healthier ways of thinking, seeing possibilities where we once saw obstacles.
This adjustment helps us focus on what truly matters. Instead of dwelling on the past or fearing the future, we learn to live in the present moment. We see life not as a series of problems to endure but as an opportunity for growth, connection, and joy.
Keeping our spiritual lenses clean and in focus requires ongoing effort. Just as eyeglasses can accumulate smudges over time, our attitudes can become clouded by unresolved emotions, stress, or complacency. Daily practices such as inventory, prayer, and meditation help us maintain clarity, ensuring that our view of the world remains aligned with reality.
Regular self-examination allows us to identify attitudes that may need adjustment. Are we holding onto resentment? Are we slipping into self-pity or denial? By addressing these issues promptly, we prevent them from distorting our perspective and affecting our recovery.
With clean, well-focused lenses, the world begins to look different. What once seemed hostile or bleak now feels warm and inviting. We see beauty in everyday moments, strength in ourselves, and potential in our relationships.
This new perspective transforms the way we approach life. Instead of feeling defeated by challenges, we see them as opportunities to grow. Instead of isolating ourselves, we seek connection and support. Instead of running from reality, we embrace it with open hearts and minds.