Getting sober didn't solve all my probs

Dr. Steven Covey wrote about the need to hack at the root of a problem, not the leaves.

When I was in active addiction I thought that sobriety was the missing key to solving my problems that I had been looking for. And while it has been so good for me, it didn’t solve all my problems.

Addictive behavior is a response to underlying issues. It can be a product of shame, guilt, a survival-oriented coping mechanism, or have many other causes. But it’s a symptom. It’s a leaf or a branch of the tree, not the root.

Until those underlying root causes are examined, recovery from addiction is much harder.

Treatment, whether from group therapy (AA, NA, CA, etc.) or working one-on-one with a mental health professional is a great tool for identifying root causes. It’s also one of the most useful steps you can take to getting help and staying sober.