Narcotics Anonymous has devised what I consider to be a good definition for Insanity:
“Making the same mistakes, again and again, and expecting different results.”
Speaking of support groups, I led a Christian-based 12 Step Program for two years. And speaking of “making the same mistakes, again and again,” among the counseling groups which I have sponsored, and among literally thousands of counseling clients, I have witnessed far too many people making far too many mistakes; again and again.
I often tell my clients a hypothetical story of a woman who walks down her local sidewalk and falls into a manhole. Well, that would obviously be thought of as an accident. However, if the same woman walks down the same sidewalk over the next thirty days, and falls into the same manhole thirty more times, well, this sort of behavior can no longer be considered an accident.
One of the best examples to which I was exposed over my two and a half decades of counseling ministry is that of a young man named “Eddie.” He and “Sandy,” his wife, came to me for counseling…several times. And since Eddie was addicted to various substances, I encouraged him to join our “Celebrate Recovery” group. He agreed.
However, as with so many of my charges, Eddie never quite found the way to divest himself of his habit. And thus, I suggested something I have suggested to dozens of such people over the years, (and which dozens of people have neglected to do;) that he enroll in a year-long residential treatment program.
And after a few more “fits and starts,” he actually did.
*to be continued
By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 56. Copyright pending
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