Have you ever watched the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island?” Despite airing for just three seasons in its original run, the show remained popular for years and years in reruns, animated versions, and made-for-television movies. These days, what is probably remembered best is the show’s earworm of a theme song, which explains that two crewmen and five passengers set sail on the S.S. Minnow for what was supposed to be a three-hour tour.
Instead, the S.S. Minnow gets caught in a storm and ends up wrecked on an “uncharted desert isle.” From the setup, the show offers wacky scenario after wacky scenario as the seven marooned characters try to figure out how to save themselves from becoming permanent residents of the island.
Make no mistake: “Gilligan’s Island” is endlessly silly. Nevertheless, the old show about the castaways offers some lessons that can apply to the recovery journey. So, as the theme song puts it, “Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…”
Our tale is about maintaining your recovery over time.
Take Care of the Basics Right Away
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, there are also some basics that 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.
Stay Vigilant and Stay Connected
In an early episode of “Gilligan’s Island,” Gilligan is charged with keeping watch over the group’s supplies—the very basics we mentioned above. He is also supposed to be keeping an eye on the weather as well as watching for any passing ships that might be flagged down to rescue the castaways.
Unfortunately, Gilligan keeps falling asleep, and a clever chimp takes advantage of the situation to steal food. That is a good reminder that vigilance is an important part of the recovery journey. Staying alert for triggers or for shifts in your mood or for other factors that may put you at risk for a relapse is vitally important.
Meanwhile, in an effort to figure out what is happening to their supplies, the characters keep splitting up, which just leads to more trouble and confusion. The lesson here is that when you find yourself struggling in recovery, you should not attempt to deal with the problem on your own. Instead, attend a meeting, call a supportive person or your sponsor, reach out to your therapist, or get together with folks who share a hobby or interest with you. Knowing when to rely on others is an important recovery skill.
Stay Hopeful and Keep Working Toward Your Goals
Let’s face it: Sitcom setup aside, there would be nothing funny about being stranded on a desert island. Even amid all the hijinks the castaways get up to on “Gilligan’s Island,” they still maintain two serious practices. They stay hopeful and they keep working toward their goal of being rescued or finding a way to safely leave the island. They face many, many setbacks (most of which are hilarious), but the seven people on that island never give in to despair or to apathy. Instead, they continue to think about the future they want—a future when they are able to return home.
A spirit of hopefulness is important in recovery, too. A person in recovery from a substance use disorder will encounter many challenges over time, but an ongoing dedication to staying hopeful can make it easier to overcome those challenges or to respond to setbacks in a positive way.
The same is true when it comes to working toward your goals—including your primary goal of leaving drugs or alcohol permanently in the past. Any goal worth achieving is likely to require steady work, especially when obstacles and challenges arise, as they almost certainly will. Keeping your goals at the forefront of your mind can help you make good decisions in tough moments.
You Will Never Be Stranded at The Aviary
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, it can seem like you are stranded on an island of suffering all by yourself. Trapped between the negative impacts of substance use and the rigors of withdrawal symptoms, you may find yourself concluding that there is no escape from the situation in which you find yourself.
Fortunately, however, that is not the case. At The Aviary Recovery Center, located near St. Louis, Missouri, we offer personalized treatment plans for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. We can help you rescue yourself from the ongoing negative influence of drugs or alcohol. We have once again been recognized as one of the top substance use recovery facilities in the county, and we are eager to provide effective treatment grounded in our passion, skills, and empathy. You can count on us to see you safely to the other side of the substance use storm.
