Her record-breaking Eras Tour may have come to an end, but it has been an exciting few months for Taylor Swift and her many, many (many!) fans. First, Swift announced that she had, at last, managed to purchase the rights to her early run of records. And then she announced a new record—appeared on the podcast of her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, to tantalize those who watch the artist’s every move for clues and hints to what she might do next.
While the fact that she has acquired the rights to all of her music may have brought her groundbreaking “Taylor’s Version” project to an end, we think that effort serves as a good metaphor for the recovery journey.
When it seemed unlikely Swift would ever get the rights to the music on her early records, she decided to record new versions of each one. Each of those re-recordings was dubbed “Taylor’s Version” so that fans could easily tell the difference between the original and the new edition. Swift also added plenty of “vault tracks”—songs that didn’t make it onto the first version of a record—making each re-release even more exciting for her fans.
What does all of this have to do with your recovery from a substance use disorder? Let’s take a look.
Recovery Is a Chance to Create Your Version of Your Life
There are probably plenty of moments and accomplishments from your life before you started using drugs or alcohol that you remember fondly and are proud of. That, no doubt, is how Taylor Swift felt about the records that made her a superstar. But just like she lost control of her music, taking up drugs or alcohol meant you lost control of your life.
After all, drugs or alcohol relentlessly chip away at every aspect of your life—your mental and physical health, your relationships, your finances, and more. When this happens, you find yourself wishing you could get back to the way things used to be.
What did Swift do in this situation? She did the work necessary to reclaim her past—and create something even better for the future. That meant getting back in the studio to record. For a person struggling with drugs or alcohol, the equivalent move is getting into treatment.
Make no mistake: Treatment is hard work. But just like Swift knew the hard work of remaking her records was worth it, the hard work of going through treatment is absolutely worthwhile.
It is important to remember that Swift did not go into the studio alone. Making albums is a team effort. When you seek out treatment for a substance use disorder, you will not be alone either. An entire team dedicated to your recovery will see you through medically supervised detoxification and a rehabilitation program that includes individual and group therapy sessions. The professional staff—and even the other people in treatment—will work with you to build a firm foundation for your recovery.
Your Reintroduction Will Be a Cause for Celebration
Each time a “Taylor’s Version” of a Swift album came out, the fandom was absolutely ecstatic. And when you come out of treatment and start your recovery journey, it will be a cause for celebration—for you and for your “fans.” Those fans include your supportive friends and family who are thrilled to see you take back control of your life and who will help you maintain your recovery over time.
Will there be haters who are less supportive? Maybe. Swift reminds us that “haters gonna hate,” but you can shake it off as you rebuild your life after treatment.
You Are Not Limited to Past Accomplishments
As exciting as the “Taylor’s Version” releases were, they were hardly all that Swift was working on. Her incredibly ambitious tour rolled on, and she released a ton of new music—and she became a big fan of a particular football team. She was reclaiming her past, to be sure, but she was also living in the present moment and building her future.
The same is true for you and your life. When you are on the other side of treatment, you can reclaim the good things from before you developed a substance use disorder, and that is certainly important. But you have also given yourself the opportunity to hold fast to your substance-free present as you build a positive future for yourself.
We Never Go Out of Style
At French Creek Recovery Center, located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, we are experts when it comes to treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our approach to treatment—personalized, evidence-based, and grounded in experience, expertise, and empathy—never goes out of style (as T-Swift might sing).
If you are ready to make a new start and take back control of your life, we are ready to help you reach your goals. Seeking out treatment for a substance use disorder gives you the opportunity to make the next version of your life the best version of your life.