HOW Principle
The foundational HOW principle in recovery stands for Honesty, Openness, and Willingness, emphasizing:
Honesty: Being truthful with oneself and others about one's addiction and recovery process.
Openness: Being open to new ideas, feedback, and the experiences of others in recovery.
Willingness: Being willing to take the necessary steps and make changes to support one's recovery journey.
And because there’s no one way to heal from addiction, I’m going to include a few other core values and principles that can guide you in your recovery journey and help you develop a strong foundation for lasting change. Choose whichever works for you!
CARA (Courage, Acceptance, Resilience, Action)
Courage: Facing fears and challenges with bravery.
Acceptance: Embracing reality and acknowledging the current situation without judgment.
Resilience: Building strength to recover from setbacks.
Action: Taking steps towards recovery and personal growth.
HOPE (Healing, Optimism, Patience, Empowerment)
Healing: Focusing on emotional and physical recovery.
Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook on the future.
Patience: Understanding that recovery is a gradual process.
Empowerment: Gaining confidence and control over one’s life and decisions.
LOVE (Letting Go, Open-mindedness, Vulnerability, Empathy)
Letting Go: Releasing past hurts and resentments.
Open-mindedness: Being receptive to new ideas and perspectives.
Vulnerability: Allowing oneself to be open and honest about feelings and experiences.
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
FAITH (Forgiveness, Acceptance, Integrity, Trust, Hope)
Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and forgiving oneself and others.
Acceptance: Embracing life’s circumstances without resistance.
Integrity: Maintaining honesty and strong moral principles.
Trust: Believing in oneself and the recovery process.
Hope: Having faith in a better future and the possibility of change.
GRACE (Gratitude, Respect, Accountability, Compassion, Encouragement)
Gratitude: Focusing on what you have to be thankful for.
Respect: Valuing oneself and others.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and decisions.
Compassion: Showing kindness and understanding to oneself and others.
Encouragement: Offering support and motivation to oneself and peers.
STAR (Self-awareness, Trust, Adaptability, Resilience)
Self-awareness: Understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Trust: Building and maintaining trust in oneself and others.
Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change.
Resilience: Developing the ability to bounce back from difficulties.
PEACE (Patience, Empathy, Acceptance, Commitment, Empowerment)
Patience: Being patient with the process and oneself.
Empathy: Understanding and being sensitive to others’ experiences.
Acceptance: Accepting oneself and the present moment.
Commitment: Staying dedicated to the recovery journey.
Empowerment: Gaining confidence and taking control of one’s life.
