In 1987, Michael Douglas starred in the movie Wall Street. Perhaps the most famous scene from the movie involves Douglas’ character, Gordon Gekko, giving a speech in which he extols the virtue of greed.
That position, of course, is not the one most of us hold when it comes to thinking about greed. Greedy people, after all, tend to do damage to others as they pursue their goals at any cost. Still and all, we believe there is an area in which you can be greedy and do yourself a great deal of good without harming others.
That area? Personal growth.
Getting greedy about growing is important for most anyone, but it is especially important to individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder. Indeed, a commitment to ongoing growth is a logical extension of going through treatment to get yourself free from drugs or alcohol. That process required ample growth—and keeping your recovery intact can involve much, much more.
That is definitely a good thing. But you might be thinking that having a greedy attitude toward growth is more easily said than done. What, you might be wondering, do we mean by growth? How can that growth be achieved? And what are the benefits of achieving it?
We are glad you asked. Let’s take a look at personal growth—and the reasons it is worth getting greedy over.
The Importance of Pursuing Personal Growth
We have noted that the act of pursuing treatment is an important example of personal growth. Ongoing drug and alcohol use can seem like a trap. It can also feel like something that has its own inertia—an inertia from which you cannot break free.
Heading to treatment instead of giving in to despair is an example of grabbing hold of the concept of growth. In fact, it is a powerful example of what a growth mindset can do for a person.
Believing that personal change is possible is a key aspect of a growth mindset—and a growth mindset helps you build a better future for yourself.
Having a growth mindset might sound like a good idea, but what does it look like in practice?
The Gains Available From Growth
Too many folks feel like they are incapable of real growth—of making real change—in their lives. But every time you work toward a goal, engage with a hobby, practice a skill, try something new, or step out of your comfort zone, you are taking advantage of opportunities to learn and grow. That sense of growth—even when it is slow and steady rather than immediate—can be deeply satisfying. And those feelings of satisfaction can help firm up the foundations of your recovery.
To look at it another way, when you are committed to moving forward rather than looking back on past challenges or mistakes, you give yourself the best opportunity to create the kind of life you want. And who wouldn’t want to grow into a better life?
There might be times when it feels like you are not making any sort of progress in any area of your life. When that feeling arises, you might begin to doubt whether growth is really possible for you. In those moments, we encourage you to remember the change you made when you sought out treatment for a substance use disorder. Being in recovery is proof that growth is ongoingly possible.
Want to Take a Deeper Dive in the Possibility of Growth?
For those who might be interested in what it is about the brain that allows us to grow rather than get stuck in a permanent rut, we invite you to read this post about neuroplasticity. The quick version of that post is this: Our brains have the remarkable ability to form new pathways, which means we can set old habits aside and replace them with better habits. That does not mean we won’t ever fall back into less productive routines, but it does mean that our brains are equipped to help us move forward—that is, to grow.
We Are Eager to Help You Pursue Recovery
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, The Aviary Recovery Center helps individuals overcome substance use disorders as well as co-occurring mental health disorders. The Aviary is consistently recognized as one of the very best substance use disorder treatment centers in the country.
That means you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality of care personalized to meet your specific needs. We offer a medically supervised detoxification program as well as inpatient, outpatient, and virtual treatment options. Our alumni program keeps you connected with others who understand your past challenges and your future hopes.
We don’t believe Gordon Gekko was right about greed in all of its forms, but if you are greedy to make a change that will improve your entire life, we are eager to help you pursue the personal growth that underpins successful recovery. When you are ready to get started, we are here to help you reach your goals.
