How Gratitude Can Help Beat Addiction

by Chester Elton

Will House had a good upbringing, education and dream job in tech. But that did not stop alcohol from taking everything he valued in life. By his mid-thirties, he had destroyed his reputation, finances, relationships and was facing yet another job termination, on the verge of homelessness, separated from his family and drinking himself to death.

Says Will, “After living in this cycle of burning down my life, rebuilding it and trying all sorts of recovery programs, I finally figured out how to stay sober, healthy and consistent with habits. I learned how to live a life of acceptance and gratitude.”

In late 2020, Will began a gratitude journey by tracking 6 daily habits: Intentions, Sleep, Exercise, Diet, Household Priorities and Sober Days. He then wrote out each day on paper five things he was grateful for, positive affirmations, and priorities for the day. He would then read a motivational quote and finish with breath-work to affirm his mindful intentions for the day ahead.

“What I found was that I started to feel better, clearer in thoughts, calmer and more focussed. Each week offers an opportunity to reflect on progress, identify areas for improvement and things to be proud of, and set priorities for the week ahead,” he told me.

“I now have a life beyond anything I ever could have imagined when I hit bottom in 2020.”

In January 2021, Will started working on an app to put his approach to recovery into a digital experience to incentivize healthy habits. The app would use gratitude and affirmations and is called Oberit . Will said: “At the time, I had no money, just a huge vision for the future and determination to make a difference in the world.”

In April 2021, a long-time friend in recovery became an angel investor and by November the app went live. In March of this year, Will’s company received a second round of funding from a venture capital firm that specializes in health-tech with a focus on purposeful investments that make a positive impact on the world. The app now hosts a fast-growing community of users who are building consistent healthy habits and eliminating destructive behaviors.

As we’ve found in our work around our book “Anxiety at Work ,” cultivating gratitude is a vital part of recovery from addiction. Gratitude is one of the core virtues in creating happiness. If people are grateful to be on the journey to recovery, then they are less likely to relapse. Why? Because with gratitude in their hearts, they can face the challenges before them.

And when problems do arise—as they always do—those people can view them as chances to grow versus obstacles. This positive thinking helps them to their goal of recovery.

Will says he’s grateful to have been put on the path that he’s on. His goal today is to improve and save other’s lives. The app is free to download AND he’s offering readers of The Gratitude Journal two weeks of the Oberit Premium experience at no cost with 50 reward coins to get started in the marketplace.

I’m grateful for the power of gratitude for those suffering from substance abuse or addiction, and for everyone in good times and tough times.

Love and Gratitude,

VANTAGE POINT WEBCAST

Join?Adrian Gostick ?and me on April 20th?@1PM ET?for our?Vantage Point - A View From the Top?webcast produced by?Vantage Circle - Global Employee Engagement Platform .

In this session, we'll share insights with top Business and HR leaders on how to devise an effective employee engagement program when the workplace is going hybrid. We'll share tools and techniques and explain how technology can help streamline and automate employee engagement programs for the hybrid workforce.

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WE THRIVE TOGETHER

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ANXIETY AT WORK PODCAST

It's a proven fact that you can't be in a state of anxiety and gratitude at the same time! Each week, my coauthor and dear friend,?Adrian Gostick ?and I talk to some of the world’s leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension and cultivate calm. In the latest episode of?Anxiety at Work?podcast,?we spoke with Melissa Salibi , CHRO, Kempinski Luxury Hotels on leading people with love and a focus on mental wellness.

THE BOOK CORNER

Please help me celebrate the birthday of my dear friend?Marshall Goldsmith ?by ordering a copy of his new book, “The Earned Life”

Marshall's work has changed the lives of so many people. Especially mine!

Happy birthday Marshall!!

The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment by Marshall Goldsmith

Leading with Gratitude ?&?Anxiety at Work ?are available wherever you like to get your books.?Visit?The Culture Works ?for free resources including videos, podcast episodes, and more, to help you build a culture of gratitude.