Having Responsibilities Furthers the Addiction Recovery Process

Written byColin LillisAdventure Guide

Written by: Roy J. DuPrez, M.Ed.

In his book, “Boys Adrift,” Dr. Leonard Sax explains that men need to be responsible because if men are not needed, they do not flourish. Furthermore, according to organizational psychologist Benjamin P. Hardy, men actually step down if they are not needed.

For example, when expectations are low, you will find young men demonstrating behaviors like remaining in their parents’ homes longer, delaying steps into adulthood and failing to thrive overall.

Back2Basics believes addiction takes and recovery gives back and makes amends. Apologizing through one’s actions ignites an essential process of introspection and settling of past debts that were unhealthy and harmful.
This is the work that gets a resident to be in their frontal cortex, where higher forms of neurological activity exist. Giving back to others is ultimately a gift to one’s self and that process begins with a very important and necessary step in the recovery process: being remorseful.

Part of gaining the perspective needed to begin this process and reintegration into society is service work. Young men are encouraged to heal their addiction by successfully engaging in the world around them, regularly investing their time into a significant community project such as volunteering at a local food bank or a wilderness cleanup.

Doing something positive for the community helps change the chemistry of the brain. It gets them outside of themselves where valuable perspective can be gained…

Colin Lillis

Adventure Guide

Colin Lillis is the Adventure Guide at Back2Basics Recovery, leading outdoor excursions including hiking, backpacking, and camping in the Flagstaff area. Through wilderness experiences, he helps clients build resilience and self-confidence.

View Full Profile →