A new Mission Impossible film is in theaters as we write this blog entry, the seventh entry in Tom Cruise’s ongoing adventure series based on the television series from the late 1960s and early 1970s (which was briefly revived in the 1980s). Cruise got into the action—quite literally—in the mid-1990s, and he’s been doing his own incredible (and incredibly dangerous) stunts ever since.
Even if you have never seen the show or any of the films, odds are good you know its distinctive theme song and perhaps its signature set up: “Your mission, if you choose to accept it…” and the tendency of the mission tapes to self-destruct after an agent listens to them.
What does all of this have to do with recovery? We’re glad you asked!
Funny Thing About Those Impossible Missions
You do not have to watch many episodes of the old television show or many entries in the Tom Cruise movie series to realize something important. These so-called “impossible missions” are, in fact, possible. Heck, the heroes of Mission Impossible always accomplish their missions.
Sure, they face plenty of challenges along the way. But they always find a way to make the impossible possible. Good thing, too, or there would not be many episodes or films to enjoy.
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, it can seem like the idea of reclaiming your life and building a lasting recovery is an impossible mission. That can be especially true if you are trying to give up substances on your own.
That is because the rigors of withdrawal can be just as difficult to cope with as the devastating effects of drug or alcohol use are. You know you have to quit, but when you try to quit, those withdrawal symptoms—including intense cravings—send you right back to the substances. It’s a trap—and it can seem like such a dastardly trap that even Tom Cruise’s intrepid character Ethan Hunt could not escape its clutches.
But getting your recovery underway is not, in fact, impossible. The key, as is true in Mission Impossible, is to have an unbeatable team on your side.
You Do Not Have to Do It Alone
Cruise’s Ethan Hunt character surrounds himself with other talented people who can make his impossible missions a lot more possible. Having a team that is always on his side gives him confidence and support because he knows they will always have his back.
The same is true for you as you undertake the mission of recovery. You need a crack team of folks you can always count on as you try to do something difficult. That is exactly what you will find when you seek out treatment at a fully accredited facility like French Creek Recovery Center.
Our team of dedicated and highly trained professionals will see you through medically supervised detoxification, which provides a safe environment that is free of temptations as you get the drugs or alcohol out of your system. The next step is a rehabilitation program that includes individual and group therapy sessions. Your therapists and the other people going through rehab are all essential members of your team as you get ready to return to your day-to-day life.
And your team will still have your back when your time in residential treatment comes to an end. French Creek Recovery Center offers a robust aftercare program that provides ongoing support, resources, and encouragement as your recovery journey gets underway.
You also have the opportunity to expand your team by attending 12-Step (or other recovery program) meetings, identifying supportive and understanding friends, and spending time with the family members who always have your best interests in mind.
Together, all of these “teammates” can help you do what once seemed entirely impossible: building a lasting recovery.
What if the Mission Goes Awry?
Let’s face it: Ethan Hunt and company occasionally face setbacks. Every now and again, they are double-crossed or outwitted or caught by surprise. Those setbacks and obstacles can require some extraordinary efforts to get things back on track.
A relapse is like one of those setbacks. If you find yourself using drugs or drinking alcohol again, you may well wonder if that marks the end of your recovery—if you have failed in your important mission.
Fortunately, the answer is no. Just like the Mission Impossible team can regroup, you can, too, by returning to treatment to get your recovery restarted after a relapse. The team will still be intact—and soon your recovery will be in good shape, too.
Accept the Mission. Get the Help You Need.
As we have noted, the team at French Creek Recovery Center is here to help you get your recovery underway. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, French Creek Recovery Center is dedicated to creating personalized treatment plans that effectively address substance use disorders and the mental health disorders that often accompany them.
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, it can feel as though you are going to self-destruct like a Mission Impossible mission tape. But with help from our team, you can become the hero of your own story once again. Accept the mission and reclaim your life.