Many people claim to know and understand the origins of addiction, while only a few have actually obtained the education to back up those claims. There are many pathways one may use, often unwittingly, to travel speedily into a deadly addiction.

No matter what route one takes into their addiction, or the exact circumstances a person then dwells in while actively pursuing and sustaining their addiction, the psychological devastation and emotional stress that one endures during the addict lifestyle is often filled with tragic and horrific similarities.

If a person who suffers from addiction is so lucky as to discover the unacceptability of such a lifestyle, and is offered that golden ticket and miracle escape, what then can be done to ensure successful and permanent exodus from the hell that we call active addiction?

In all my years as a recovering addict, then becoming a person in long term recovery, I have seen many decent people come and go, but mostly go, and never to return. The harsh truth of it is an addiction wishes to kill its host, and without the help of loving support, it is guaranteed that the host will die. Many have found themselves on the brighter side of their addiction, only to quickly return to the darker side of using. What could possibly ensure a successful recovery from a destructive and lethal addict lifestyle? The simple answer: community. Without community, each one of us would die.

Studies show that infants, left untouched and unattended, save for basic needs of food and shelter, die from lack of connection to other human beings. One study in particular showed that single mice living in a cage, offered either narcotics or food, would almost invariably gravitate toward the narcotics. To some doctor’s this proved that the addict will always choose drugs over basic needs. However, in a similar study where mice were offered either narcotics or food, but were placed in cages of multiple mice, those with the community surrounding them were far less likely to become dependent on the narcotic simply because they had a source of community. If this evidence does not speak volumes of the hope that exists for those afflicted with addiction everywhere, then I just do not know what else will.

Be it a place in church, service in a 12 step fellowship, or the responsibility of one’s family, with the support of community, the addict has a far greater chance at living, and, perhaps, discovering a deeper sense of self, one that they themselves were unaware of, but will be so grateful to find.

Seek your community. Find your community. Know your community.