ABSTRACT
When faced with severe consequences, especially death, humans can search for a solution before they search for understanding. This introductory chapter makes the case that positive change can come from understanding negative life events. More specifically, the past can be an asset to understanding the self and does not need to be censored or ignored. Shutting out the bad does not make things good. Addiction is about both presence and absence. The argument made is that to help people end an addiction, the whole picture of what the behaviors brought, produced, or were intended to produce (the presence) and what they took away or diminished (the absence) must be considered. Addiction is often framed as something that’s only killing you, rather than something that’s helping you survive. The author’s belief in grieving as a healing agent is stated along with her belief that examining the meaning of loss and its impact on a life is valuable in the recovery process. This chapter sets the stage for the text’s emphasis on understanding and processing grief in the context of addiction and recovery.
