This past summer, a new entry in Tom Cruise’s long-running series of Mission: Impossible movies hit the big screen. It was the eighth entry in the series of films, which kicked off nearly 30 years ago in 1996. Go back another 30 years, to 1966, and the original Mission: Impossible television show was on the air (you are probably familiar with the theme song).
The conceit of the television show and Cruise’s movies is that a team of undercover agents takes on “impossible” missions with the highest stakes imaginable.
Now, we are not film critics, of course. (If you are interested, however, one review of the eighth film called it, “wildly silly, wildly entertaining adventure which periodically gives us a greatest-hits flashback montage of the other seven films.”)
That said, we do think the Mission: Impossible series suggests an important lesson about recovery from a substance use disorder. When you think about it, those impossible missions always turn out to be possible, right?
Similarly, though getting free from drugs or alcohol might seem impossible, the truth is that it is possible to reclaim your life.
Why Launching Your Recovery Might Seem Impossible
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, you might find yourself in a trap—a trap that even the heroes of Mission: Impossible might struggle to escape.
On the one hand, substance use chips away at many aspects of your life. Your physical and mental health suffer. Your relationships and ability to maintain your responsibilities may come unraveled. You might find yourself in deep financial trouble or on the wrong side of the law.
Given all those things, you may be highly motivated to give up the substances that have their hooks in you. The difficulty, however, is that the rigors of withdrawal can be just as devastating as the direct results of drug or alcohol use. Intense cravings, for example, can send you right back to the substances you are trying to leave behind.
Given this dastardly trap, it might be tempting to give up. But that is not what the characters from Mission: Impossible would do—and it is not what you should do, either.
A Good Team Can Make the Impossible Possible
Ethan Hunt, Cruise’s character in the movies, always surrounds himself with a team of people who can help him achieve his difficult mission. Knowing he can count on his team is a key to his success—no matter how hard the task before him is.
When it comes to getting free of drugs or alcohol, the same is true. An exceptional team can help you accomplish what you have set out to do. Where can you find such a team? At a fully accredited treatment facility like Wooded Glen Recovery Center.
At Wooded Glen, we provide medically supervised detoxification, which means you can get substances out of your system in a safe environment that is free of temptations. The detoxification process springs the trap, letting you start your recovery journey.
But there is more to the mission at Wooded Glen. We also provided a robust rehabilitation program that offers the opportunity to learn skills and gain resources that will serve you well when your time in treatment comes to an end. Rehabilitation, during which we can also address co-occurring mental health disorders you may be struggling with, includes group and individual therapy sessions.
Even when your time in residential treatment ends, you can still count on our team to provide ongoing support through our alumni program.
Once you return to your day-to-day life, you can expand your team by regularly attending recovery meetings (where the other attendees understand what you have been through and what you are going through now) and by surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family members.
What If the Mission Goes Sideways?
The characters in Mission: Impossible often face setbacks. They might be double-crossed or outwitted or simply caught by surprise. Often, it can seem as though Ethan Hunt is destined to fail. But, of course, that is not true.
You might feel like your recovery mission has failed if you experience a relapse. Certainly, it is fair to say that a relapse is a significant setback. But a relapse should not be the end of your efforts. Instead, it is essential that you return to treatment to relaunch your recovery. You can get back on track and continue to work toward a lasting recovery.
Accept the Recovery Mission
There are few missions you are likely to encounter in life that are more important than getting your recovery underway. Drugs and alcohol are the villains in your story, but with the right kind of help, you can heroically overcome their negative influence in your life.
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we have the experience, expertise, and empathy needed to help you reach your goals. Our treatment plans are evidence-based and personalized to your specific situation and needs.
When you are ready to accept the mission, we are ready to help.