ACERBIC WIT
THE WIZARD OF OZ AS A PARABLE FOR RECOVERY
If you stop and think about it, the Wizard of Oz is a parable for recovery. You just need to take a different look at the story and the connections.
The story starts with Dorothy encountering a stranger who senses that Dorothy is troubled in some way, dreaming of more than what she has. The stranger hopes Dorothy can find the peace she craves.
Then, Dorothy goes on a bad trip. She blacks out.
When Dorothy comes to, she realizes she is in deep trouble and needs to get home. She needs to find serenity and get her life back together. People with their own set of issues know she needs help, but they’re not the ones who can offer it. So they dispatch her in search of that way home… or the way to sobriety.
Dorothy starts out on her journey alone. But she is lonely and scared. Soon, she realizes she is lost and doesn’t know which way to turn. She finds a new friend, who also needs help. They join forces and continue their journey together, finding more friends along the way. They are people who have nothing in common, other than their own sets of problems, fears, and a need to find the peace in their lives they have always yearned for. This is their journey to sobriety.
Along the way, they do service for each other. Dorothy helps the Scarecrow down off the pole; they oil the Tin Man so he can move; they save the Scarecrow’s life when the witch threatens to burn him; they stick close to the Cowardly Lion, helping him find the courage to travel with them through the Enchanted Forest.
The Wicked Witch represents the addictions, trying to lead them astray, scare them into giving up, and ultimately, trying to take their lives. But the witch is also an enigma, painting across the sky in huge letters “Surrender Dorothy”.
There is the threat of relapse as they stumble upon the field of poppies, and come close to giving in to their hypnotic powers. But they regain their strength, knowing that the temporary euphoria of the poppies will only lead them to pain and agony. They continue their journey, facing down the challenges, fears and depression along the way.
Eventually they reach the Emerald City and meet the Wizard. They turn to him for all the answers and to solve all their problems. In recovery, the Wizard is the Sponsor. But the Wizard shows them he is not a Higher Power. Like a Sponsor, he is simply another person, with his own set of troubles and obstacles that he has learned, with the right tools, to confront.
The Wizard shows Dorothy and her friends that what they seek has always been inside them. They just need to know how to reach down and use what they have, to conquer what they fear, and to move forward.
One by one, the friends start to understand that they have the heart, the brains and the courage to live their lives with joy and happiness. Beyond their wildest dreams.
But what of Dorothy? The Wizard shows her that she has all these things as well. She also has people in her life, who are her shelter in all the storms life will bring her. He helps her find her inner courage to click her heels, and journey home, to sobriety.
Once home, the first thing Dorothy does is make amends to the people she loves. Then she shares with them her realization that she has discovered all the joys that life has to offer, and pledges to do all she can to live her life to the fullest, and to be a shining force in the world.
Copyright 2008 Acerbic Wit and the website owner.