As a rule, you probably do not come to this blog hoping to find deep dives into pop culture. But every now and again, we find that a song, a television show, or a comic book hero can provide some ideas that can be applied to the recovery journey. In this post, we are going to revisit a few previous entries that have used a piece of pop culture to make a point related to recovery. In each case, we will provide a link to the full post so that you can explore these ideas in more detail.
Let’s take a look back at some of our pop culture hits.
Finding Power for Recovery from DC Superheroes
In a post titled “Recovery Superpowers: Truth, Resilience, Kindness,” we turned our attention to DC Comics’ “Trinity” of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. We associated each hero with a characteristic that can serve you well in recovery. Here, for example, is what we said about Batman and resilience:
One of the most important things to understand about Batman is that he does not have any superpowers. None at all. And yet he manages to battle a whole variety of threats just as fiercely as any of his powerful friends. He is a model of resilience—always doing what he needs to do to train, make adjustments, and recuperate after injuries so that he is ready at the critical moments.
Resilience is important in recovery, too—especially when challenges arise.
You need to be resilient, for example, in the face of cravings that are likely to arise and tempt you to return to drug or alcohol use. Resilience can be necessary as you do the hard work of repairing damaged relationships, too. And a spirit of resilience is what will get you back into treatment should you experience a relapse.
You can be like Batman by building up your resilience.
You can read about Superman and Wonder Woman and their connection to recovery in the original post.
Two Classic Television Shows Reflect Some Recovery Themes
We have tuned into the 1980s hit “The A-Team” and 1960s classic “Gilligan’s Island” to consider issues related to recovery.
Here’s a snippet from “Notes from The A-Team: You Need an A-Plus Plan.”
The leader of the A-Team was John “Hannibal” Smith, who was played by George Peppard. Hannibal had a catchphrase: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
If you are a person struggling with drugs or alcohol, you need a plan to reclaim your life. And just as was true for the A-Team, it can be easier to execute that plan if you have a team of support. Let’s take a look at the steps you might take toward treatment and recovery—and who can help you along the way.
And here’s a bit from “Recovery Lessons from Gilligan’s Island.”
The characters on “Gilligan’s Island” quickly realize they are going to need some basic things to survive. They’ll need shelter, a source of food, and access to fresh water. Even in a comedy, those are pretty serious and ongoing needs.
When it comes to your recovery journey, some basics provide a strong foundation for your efforts to leave drugs or alcohol in your past. For example, eating healthily, sleeping restfully, and exercising regularly are all key practices that can help you keep your recovery intact.
Other keys to ongoing recovery include attending recovery meetings, building a supportive network of friends and family, and avoiding people and places you associate with drug or alcohol use.
Recovery Lessons from a Country Classic
In “A Recovery Lesson from a Famous Country Song,” we got some ideas from a number one hit.
Recently, country singer/songwriter Davie Allan Coe passed away. He penned a song that Johnny Paycheck took all the way to the top of the country charts in 1977. That song, “Take This Job and Shove It,” became so popular that a movie with the same name came out in 1981…So many people can relate to the idea of wanting to storm out of the workplace after telling off their boss, and the song gives voice to that common fantasy.
Notably, however, the song’s protagonist does not actually follow through on his desire. He, too, is just fantasizing about it—hoping to work up the courage actually to do it someday.
What does this song from nearly 50 years ago have to do with substance use disorders, their treatment, and the recovery journey? Well, just like many workers sometimes have a strong desire to quit their jobs, many people struggling with drugs or alcohol have a strong desire to quit using the substances that are ruining their lives.
All too often, however, the desire to get free of drugs or alcohol seems to be as much of a fantasy as walking off the job does.
Pop Quiz: Where Can You Get Help for a Substance Use Disorder?
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, The Aviary Recovery Center is consistently recognized as one of the top substance use disorder treatment facilities in the nation. If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, we can help you reclaim your life so that you can build a better future. We are ready to get started whenever you are.
