Let’s start with the obvious: accepting that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol is not always easy.

It can feel like admitting defeat. Like waving the white flag. Too often our use becomes such an engrained part of our personality, that the thought of getting sober feels like losing a part of yourself. Or maybe you’re unwilling to ask for help, admit you can’t handle everything on your own, and be vulnerable. 

But here’s the twist: what if acceptance isn’t weakness at all? What if acceptance is actually power?

What Is Radical Acceptance?

At its core, radical acceptance is the practice of acknowledging reality exactly as it is—no sugarcoating, no denial, no mental gymnastics to try and make it feel more palatable.

According to clinician Ava Titsworth, “It’s radical because it’s not intuitive to accept something that is so difficult to accept.” And she’s right. Our instinct is to fight against pain, to wrestle with our emotions, to control our circumstances. But in addiction recovery, that resistance can keep you stuck. 

Radical acceptance invites you to pause the fight and sit with the truth. Not because it’s fun, but because it’s freeing.

Why Men Struggle with Acceptance in Recovery

For a lot of men, the idea of surrender or acceptance feels foreign—even threatening. From a young age, you might’ve been taught that “real men” are supposed to be strong, independent, and in control. The message is often: If you’re struggling, keep it to yourself. If you need help, you’ve failed.

But this mindset only reinforces the problem. Ava Titsworth puts it like this: “Men in addiction treatment often struggle with the idea of acceptance—but it’s key to moving forward.”

Acceptance isn’t about giving up. It’s about getting real. And when you get real, that’s when things can actually start to change.

How Radical Acceptance Helps in Recovery

It Stops the Inner War

Addiction creates a constant tug-of-war in your mind. One side says, “I need to stop,” and the other says, “But I can still handle it.” Radical acceptance cuts the rope. When you accept, truly accept, that you cannot use substances safely, you stop wasting energy on the internal fight. That’s where clarity begins.

As Ava puts it: “I cannot use safely. Once I accept that reality for myself, then I come to a solution.”

It Opens the Door to Change

Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation—it means looking at your situation with clear eyes so you can take the next right step. You’re not stuck trying to force your way out. You’re responding to reality instead of reacting to denial.

“Once we accept the reality of our situation,” says Ava, “it actually opens us up to more solutions.”

In other words, the truth gives you options. Real options. Like calling a treatment center. Like starting therapy. Like telling someone you trust, “I need help.”

It Builds Emotional Resilience

Addiction recovery is not a walk in the park. You’ll face discomfort, cravings, shame, guilt, maybe even grief. Radical acceptance gives you a tool to sit with those feelings instead of trying to escape them.

When you can accept pain without running from it, you’re no longer controlled by it. 

The Strength in Surrender

Recovery is full of paradoxes—and radical acceptance might be the biggest one.

It feels like giving up, but it’s actually the beginning of something new. It feels like weakness, but it takes massive courage. It feels counterintuitive, but it’s one of the most effective tools for real change.

If you’re a man considering treatment, here’s your takeaway:

• You don’t have to keep pretending. You don’t have to keep fighting reality.
• Acceptance isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.

Give us a call today to learn more about Serenity Park Recovery’s addiction treatment programs for men.