December 2001

The Bright Side of Recovery: Becoming Weller Than Well

by Mike Hoff, WSBA LAP Counselor

Consider the following from Goethe’s lex vitae: "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy — the chance to draw back — always ineffectiveness.… The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.… Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!"

The prime source of addition recovery may be found in Goethe’s maxim. Millions in recovery have found that once the absolute notions of our own invincibility are let go, recovery begins immediately. We become teachable — often for the first time in years. The weight of the unhealthy behavior that has kept us in bondage for years is lifted, and we begin to live anew.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs recognize and honor this principle. Personal progress, strengths, weaknesses and dreams are shared at countless AA meetings. Laughter born of gratitude for freedom from the ravages of a deadly disease prevails. Real friendships emerge. We gradually become comfortable within our own skin. Envy, jealousy, toxic anger and shame slip away. As self-centeredness loosens its crippling grip, we become interested in new ideas. Fear of people, unknown places, and new things recedes.

Those of us who struggle with addiction have made countless promises to ourselves to alter our behavior, while actually making no change at all. If experience is indeed the best teacher, how do we completely miss the reality that we simply cannot rid ourselves of the addiction on our own? Often, the instigator of change is a feeling of overwhelming pain — ultimately the best friend of an addict.

AA modalities are not rescue helicopters that instantly transport the afflicted to safety. Rather, their promise offers a simple roadmap out of the woods. What power there is in simply being able to be responsible! Freedom to make errors gives license to begin projects and adventures that once seemed daunting. Bottle in hand, in the clutches of a disease that tells us daily that next time it’ll be different, it is impossible to have faith. The miracle is that once willingness to change occurs, accompanied by the Goethe Commitment, faith need not be a factor. The fortunate candidate then has experience. Thus begins the promise: "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."

We have the power to become what, without our disease/tragedy/misfortune, we could never have become. We become weller than well!

The Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) offers confidential assistance to WSBA members with mental, emotional, drug, alcohol, family, health and other problems. Services include assessment, referral, short- or long-term counseling, group or individual therapy, treatment follow-up and training. For information, call 206-727- 8268.

The Law Office Management Assistance Program offers a wide range of services to assist lawyers, especially those in solo or small firms, with the challenges of managing a law office. For information, call 206-727-8237.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Program consists of two components: a voluntary fee arbitration program, to settle fee disputes between clients and lawyers; and mediation, to help resolve all types of disputes between lawyers and other individuals (e.g., clients, other lawyers and other professionals). For information, call 206-733-5923.

The Professional Responsibility/Ethics Program provides information and assistance in the following areas: ethics assistance, where a WSBA lawyer assists callers in resolving ethical dilemmas; Informal Opinions issued by the RPC Committee in response to lawyers’ written ethical inquiries; Formal Opinions and Published Informal Opinions approved by the Board of Governors; and Rules of Professional Conduct promulgated by the Washington Supreme Court. For information, call 206-727-8284.

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