Generativity - The Summit Of The Recovery Pyramid

We have reached the peak of the Recovery Pyramid! This level of the Hierarchy of Recovery is called Generativity. This term was coined by the Psychologist Erik Erikson, to identify the final goal  in life. Maslow said the ultimate goal is Self Actualization, Erikson said it is Generativity. Erikson identified choices at every stage of life, the final choice being between Stagnation and Generativity. In old age we can either stagnate or give back. Giving back a lifetime of knowledge and wisdom to younger generations is Generativity. I chose this term for the peak of the Recovery Pyramid because giving back is the ultimate expression of recovery. Giving back is how we actualize our recovery.

Maslow posited the percentage of people who achieve Self Actualization as being below 1% of the overall population. The percentage of recovering people who reach Generativity is much higher than that. For people working a 12 step program this is the stage of recovery in which they work their 12th step. Carrying the message of recovery and living a principled life turns out to be the secret to happiness.

As the addict or alcoholic descends the Lowarchy of Highs he becomes more and more dependent on fewer and fewer people. Eventually there are only one or two people left to depend on (Mom and Dad?) and the addict has a parasitic relationship with them. This devolution to parasitism is not only ended it is reversed in recovery. At the top of the Recovery Pyramid the former parasite is transformed into a nurturer. She now has something to give and she comes to realize that giving is the most rewarding thing she can do.

Just as in Maslows Pyramid, in the Recovery Pyramid every level must be in place in order to reach the apex. Achieving Generativity depends on maintaining Abstinence, Support, Belonging and Accomplishment.

How long does it take to reach Generativity? In some ways it begins almost immediately. This is because people in an organized recovery program, such as NA or AA, are all their to help each other. Newcomers are just as necessary as old timers. The process begins right away but it deepens and becomes more intuitive as recovery progresses.

I hope everyone reading this gets to experience Generativity. When you do, you will know how important we are to each other.






Russell P. Mai, LCDC, AAC

Accomplishment - Recovery Is getting Really Good!

Accomplishment, is the level on the Recovery Pyramid corresponding to the Esteem level on Maslows Pyramid and the Performance Highs level on the Lowarchy of Highs. Using drugs for a Performance High wound up diminishing our esteem both in the eyes of others and ultimately our self esteem. The achievements we make in recovery constitute the Accomplishment level of the Hierarchy of Recovery.

Accomplishment is how recovering people restore their esteem, both self esteem and the respect of others. When a recovering person knows she is able to achieve more because she is in recovery, it makes staying in recovery more important, more satisfying, more rewarding. Without Accomplishment recovery would hold less value.

Recovery is progressive and sustained recovery typically involves more achievement than intermittent recovery. Even so it is important to recognize that Accomplishment begins immediately for those entering a recovery program such as AA or NA. At a persons first meeting they are offered a "desire chip" in AA or a "beginners" key chain in NA. Picking up one these tokens of commitment is a significant Accomplishment.

With each milestone of recovery (30, 60, 90 days then six months, nine months and one year) the newcomer experiences a significant achievement. The tokens she collects have no intrinsic value but they are priceless to her. The first time he identifies himself as an alcoholic at an AA meeting is an achievement. Chairing a meeting is a big deal. When people talk at meetings others keep quiet and listen, respect seldom given in other circumstances.

Accomplishment is not limited to the confines of recovery programs. When a recovering addict regains the trust of her family this is an Accomplishment! When a former drunk who used to come to work late and hungover, now shows up on time and ready for work this is an Accomplishment! A father keeping his promises to his children when he had always let them down before, this is an Accomplishment! Former liars who are now honest have achieved something very important!

The Accomplishment level of the Recovery Pyramid is not about making a million bucks! (Although it's fine if you do.) It's not about getting a PhD. (Although it's fine if you do.) What it is about is those little one day at time achievements. It is about those do the next right thing achievements. It is these every day achievements which lead to respecting the person you see in the mirror in the morning. The addict who used to see a no good SOB in the mirror and now sees a decent human being has achieved something important. The alcoholic who could not stand herself and now enjoys her own company has achieved a miracle!

Accomplishment is a very rewarding stage in the Hierarchy of Recovery, but it is not as good as it gets! We'll look at the peak of the Recovery Pyramid next time.








Russell P. Mai, LCDC, AAC