“We did not choose to become addicts.”
– Basic Text, page 3
No one dreams of becoming an addict. As children, we imagined futures filled with possibility—family, careers, and meaningful experiences. Addiction was never part of those dreams, yet for many of us, it became the reality. While we didn’t choose addiction, recovery offers us a new choice: the chance to live a life of dignity, respect, and freedom.
Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. No one wakes up one day and decides to be an addict. For many of us, substance use began as an attempt to cope with pain, trauma, or a sense of inadequacy. Over time, it spiraled into something far beyond our control.
Acknowledging that we didn’t choose addiction is an essential step toward letting go of shame. Addiction doesn’t define our worth as individuals; it’s a condition we live with, just as others live with different challenges. However, recognizing that addiction isn’t our fault doesn’t absolve us of responsibility. Recovery is the choice we make to address our disease and reclaim our lives.
While we cannot choose to stop being addicts, we can choose recovery. This decision isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing commitment. Each day, we have the opportunity to choose actions and attitudes that support our sobriety.
Choosing recovery means:
Every small step we take toward recovery reinforces this choice. Each meeting we attend, each call to a sponsor, each moment of self-reflection strengthens our commitment to a better life.
In active addiction, it was easy to blame others, circumstances, or even ourselves for our situation. Blame kept us stuck, focusing on the problem rather than the solution. Recovery helps us move beyond blame.
Instead of dwelling on the “why” of our addiction, we focus on the “how” of recovery. How can we grow? How can we heal? How can we build the life we want? This shift in perspective empowers us to take action, no longer defined by our past but motivated by our potential.
Recovery is more than abstaining from substances; it’s about building a new way of life. Through the program of Narcotics Anonymous, we learn to replace destructive patterns with healthy habits, mend relationships, and discover our purpose.
Choosing recovery opens the door to:
This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but each day we make the choice to recover brings us closer to the life we’ve always wanted.
In recovery, we recognize that the opportunity to choose is a gift. Addiction robbed us of choice, leaving us trapped in compulsive behaviors. Recovery restores our agency, allowing us to make decisions that align with our values and goals.
Every day we choose recovery is a victory. By taking responsibility for our actions and committing to the program, we honor this gift and create a life worth living.