FAULTY BELIEFS

It is our faulty beliefs that cause our bad habits, poor choices, and self-destructive behaviors. When we make choices based on our faulty beliefs, it is almost impossible to make a good decision. Attempts at recovery that are based on controlling are addictive behaviors are flawed, because it is the mindset that needs our attention. How can someone become comfortable being clean & sober, if they a forced to live in a world that does not conform to their faulty beliefs?
I’ve tried to push this idea of a faulty belief system for a while, but usually find myself under attack. Addicts, Alcoholics, and most Recovery Groups created by them - would much rather focus on the habit (drugs, drinking, ect), than attacking the real problem. 12 Step programs do dig into self-awareness/changing beliefs somewhat (in step 4 for example one can have an opportunity to look at their past thinking), but don’t center their programs around it.
One of my favorite examples of the power of a belief system is the ‘Elephant Story‘ - “As my friend was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a rope tied to their legs. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their ropes they were tied to, but for some reason they did not. My friend saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.
“Well’, he said, “When they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and at that age, its enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away, They believe that the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” My friend was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds, but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were. The powerful and gigantic creatures have limited their present abilities by embracing a false truth - created by a belief formed in its past, but no longer valid.”
We can’t focus our recovery on the ‘Rope’, but on our faulty belief system that gives the ‘Rope’ power over us.