The WIZ-dom of the 12-Step Road

You may have heard a story about a gal so dismayed with her situation that she wished it away and got carried off by a tornado, accidentally killing someone in the process. In the story, she then embarks on a wisdom-seeking journey, encountering other malcontents along the way. Facing challenges together, they realize they already had all they ever needed and carry a new sense of satisfaction back to their old lives.

On one hand, this could be the plot of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum 125 years ago. On the other hand, this could be the story of the speaker at a 12-Step meeting yesterday.

Like Dorothy, addicts are often dissatisfied with lives that are perfectly adequate, but not spectacular. That desire for more excitement, more flash, more adventure can build up resentment, envy, and a desire to escape the situations into which we’ve been placed – either by our own actions, by the decisions of others, by random chance, or by some cosmic will. When we spend our time wishing things were different rather than accepting life on life’s terms, we look for ways to escape.

Serving the same function as Dorothy’s tornado, the whirlwind of an exciting substance or addictive activities can carry us away from our hum-drum lives. Gambling fuels visions of a luxurious lifestyle. Cocaine devises preposterous schemes about which to daydream. Alcohol provides temporary relief from inhibitions, creating a new personality for a few hours and even amassing Disney or NFL collectables can engage us in epic scenarios so much more enticing than our own.

Just as Dorothy’s tornado uprooted her home and dropped it on top of the Wicked Witch of the East, addictions often disrupt households and cause a great deal of destruction, including death of both the wicked and the innocent. Financial difficulties caused by addictions contribute to divorce, home foreclosure, and bankruptcy. Inattention during substance use has certainly resulted in accidental fires, car crashes, and physical injury or contracting diseases. Poor judgement and unfortunate words uttered under the influence may damage the self-esteem of children or lovers or incite life-ending violence.

 

When an addict finds him or herself in Dorothy’s position, at the rock-bottom place of homelessness, confusion, or even having committed murder; if they make the courageous decision to follow the Yellow Brick Road of the 12-Steps, they, too, will encounter others with similar stories. They will make life-saving friendships and find those fellow addicts in recovery who can accompany them on their journey.

Ultimately, through connection to the wizardry of a Higher Power, every recovering addict eventually reaps the benefits of the 9th and 10th step promises and re-engages their life with the courage to take effective action to change what they can, the composure to tolerate the immutable, and the wisdom to know the difference.

To walk the Yellow Brick road of the 12 steps, or for professional help, see the Together AZ Resources Page at: https://togetheraz.com/resources-for-recovery/

 

Dr. Marlo Archer is a fellow of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama and a Certified Supervisor with the International Deliberate Practice Society, actively engaged in training the next generation of experiential healers.