Words of wisdom from the Python boys. That’s the funny thing about our expectations. They often fall short of our reality. This was true of Torquemada, and it’s also true about substance abuse; no one expects the disease of addiction to hit them or their family. Not unlike our current plague, COVID-19, substance abuse is an equal opportunity malaise. Both strike without warning, wreaking havoc on the body, often leading to death. Addiction can and does strike anyone.

And no one expects it to happen to them.

As COVID awaits its vaccine, let’s turn our attention to substance abuse during September, National Recovery Month. There is no vaccine against addiction. Recovery involves direct action by the substance abuser and a life-long treatment, dedication, and hard work. The good news is that millions of people manage to work their way through this process to rebuild their shattered lives and live a long term, sober existence.

So, while few see it coming until it’s too late to stop, many can and do come out the other side, clean, sober, and whole.

It’s National Recovery Month, and it’s helpful to remember that even if no one ever expects to recover, millions do.

------------------------------------

This week on the Behavioral Corner Podcast...

It's September on the Behavioral Corner. We'll be wearing jackets pretty soon. Football looms as well. The question is, does it matter? Is football good for the soul? I'll tell who thinks it is, our guest, and the Philadelphia Eagles' legendary broadcaster, Merrill Reese. It's going to be fun. Join us.