Conquering the Peak. All at once or a day camp approach?
It can be undoubtedly motivating to realize that one has a problem, and in an effort to fix said problem, to immediately tackle it all at once. I liken this to my experience in Boy Scouts. As a young man, with youthful vigor, though measly athletic capabilities, we would set out on our yearly “high adventure” as a troop. Several summers we found ourselves in mountainous settings. There is a thrill in seeing the peaks and wanting to get to the top as quickly as possible. Yet, experts will tell you this approach is dangerous. It didn’t stop us, boys, from running to the top in two hours and then sprinting down the mountain in an hour. This experience left me wiped and unmotivated for the rest of the trip. What good does conquering the summit once do? What benefit does it have to exert all our energy for a one-time celebration?
There is a benefit in applying this same mindset to the treatment of addiction. How many self-help approaches take a sprint toward the peak? Purging of everything that fuels the addiction or its negative effects as step #1 does little to solve the issue, beyond increasing the frustration of the person looking for healing. A different approach is necessary. Sure, the purging will take place! But it might be more important to consider this process as one of conquering multiple peaks over a long period of time. Setting realistic goals is essential to success. Realistic, bite-sized goals come in the form of a “day camp” mentality. Appropriate pacing leads to better success than a fast sprint to the finish line does. I often use the analogy of creating a mountain one grain of sand at a time with my clients. Each small habit change leads to something much bigger, but the key is that this process takes place over time. Everyone is selling a quick fix. Much like the path to heaven, we cannot expect to go from extreme sinner to model saint in one moment. The Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person notes the importance of virtue as part of our journey. For anyone that has attempted to change a habit, or who has gone through the yearly ritual of creating New Year’s resolutions will tell you, change is hard and doesn’t take place overnight.
How can you apply the day camp mentality to your own recovery? Sometimes these are trips taken alone, but often the longest, most challenging peaks require a guide. If you’ve tried the self-help, quick-fix approach and find yourself frustrated, let me know. I’m here to walk with you, to tackle the peaks and valleys life has to offer!