The Hero’s Journey: The Path to Recovery

by Lindsay Adler, LMFT, CEDS
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“In a galaxy far, far away…” I think most of you likely have heard the rest of the story. There is an average boy who, in some extraordinary feats, recognizes his strengths and turns into a Jedi Knight. It’s pretty awesome, isn’t it? Many of us as children (and some of us as adults) have looked at Star Wars and imagined ourselves with incredible powers, battling dark forces, only to find ourselves strong and powerful. 

You might be asking yourself, what does Luke Skywalker have to do with recovery? Yes, I might be a bit of a Star Wars geek, but there is also meaning behind the iconic story of Luke. George Lucas’s story of Luke Skywalker is based off the work of Joseph Campbell, an American mythological researcher who discovered patterns in myths and legends. He called this the hero’s journey. 

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I want to share with you how the hero’s journey can be a powerful tool in looking at the recovery process (or life’s challenges). Campbell described the hero’s journey in twelve basic stages, each crucial to the growth of the hero. I will describe these stages and explain what they might mean for your life and in the recovery process. It is important to know that even though I am talking about these stages in the context of eating disorder recovery, they can extend to anyone at any point in their life, because as humans, we all go through the journey of life with triumphs and trials along the way. ​

1. The Ordinary World. The hero exists in a normal, uneventful world. The Ordinary World in recovery is your experience prior to the eating disorder, treatment         and possibly recognition of some of the struggles in your life or family. Things during this time seem “normal” and “fine”. ​
2. The Call to Adventure. The hero is called away from the ordinary world as something begins to shake up the situation, either from something external or internal. The hero must face the idea of change. There is a shift that happens as you begin to start noticing problems (internal or external)  or there is a specific event or trauma, evoking an uncomfortable experience. This is  likely when you might start to notice symptoms of an eating disorder. 
3. Refusal/ Accepting of the Call. In fear of change and the unknown, the hero has to make a decision about whether or not to accept the call. The hero may decline the call, which could result in disaster or the hero can choose to accept the challenge.  This new awakening to your struggles leads to a decision. Do you seek help? Do you stay in this place of disorder because it might feel familiar and comfortable at times? The fear of change arises and you might waver in making a decision. Ultimately, a decision is made by you or someone close to you. If you do not accept the call to change, you might end up in more despair, but if you choose to seek help (i.e., treatment or therapy) you have the chance to challenge yourself. 
4. Meeting with the Mentor. The hero meets a mentor who helps to give them training, equipment or advice to help them on their journey. This helps the hero to find their inner strength, courage and wisdom.  If you decide to seek treatment or therapy, you will meet a mentor. A mentor can be a therapist, dietitian, counselor, fellow “warrior”, family member, clergy member, etc. These mentors help to give you tools to know and understanding yourself and the struggles ahead. You might gain insight, discover a sense of agency over your past and current struggles, and learn ways to fight your eating disorder. 
5. Crossing the Threshold. The decision is made to leave the Ordinary World and to enter into a new place or condition with unfamiliar rules and values.  Now with the “training” from your mentors, you might make the decision to change your life for the better. You know you will be looking at a whole new world without the eating disorder. This new world might be drastically different, than what you became used to. There are also different values experienced in this world, such as accepting your body and making peace with food. 
6. Tests, Allies and Enemies. New trials, tests, enemies and allies come to face the hero in this new place.  As you face the world in recovery, you experience every day trails, tests and enemies. You also find new strength in fellow “warriors” and continued help from your therapist to face these struggles. 
7. Approach. With new found friends, the hero begins their preparation for battles in the new world.  You now know that recovery is going to be much harder than possibly first anticipated. You begin to prepare yourself everyday through the practice of the tools you have learned and the support of your allies. 
8. The Ordeal. This is the part of the story when the hero is faced with the biggest change and fear, often life or death. Through this great ordeal, the hero often experiences new life.  You might find yourself lapsing or relapsing into old habits along this journey, so you are tested. You come face-to-face with the understanding you might die if you continue a path with the “dark side”, or you come to realize without using your power to defeat the eating disorder, you could die. You make a choice to fight, and fight hard. 
9. The Reward. A celebration occurs as the battle has been won. The hero gains treasure but is also aware there can be danger of losing the treasure again.  In your constant attempts to fight the eating disorder (and with the help of allies) you begin to see the reward of recovery: living life FULLY! You begin to see life in a new way and experience a healthier sense of yourself. Yet, despite this “treasure” you know from experience, you could be susceptible to lapses or relapse. 
10. The Road Back. The hero must now leave the new world with the treasure and return home. With this new sense of life you return “home”. Home maybe literal (if you are in a  treatment facility), or it may be figurative (inside yourself). 
11. The Resurrection. The hero is tested once more on their way home, and faces the last deadly battle. With the powerful actions of the hero in this battle, internal and external conflicts are resolved. As you return “home”, you find yourself tested several times. Each time you might seek support from your allies and win the battle.
12. Retire with the Elixir. At home, the hero continues their journey, with the treasure in hand and with a new sense of strength and wisdom. ​ Recovery is a journey and you know this journey is not easy. Now, you recognize your power. You know you have the wisdom, strength, and discernment to keep your new found freedom and not turn to “the dark side”.  

What is your personal hero’s journey? This is just one example of using Campbell’s the hero’s journey to find hope, strength and meaning in the recovery process. A great way to gain your own awareness, insight and power is to identify your own story. For example, at what point did you decide to change? Have feelings of fear influenced your decisions about accepting the call to adventure? Who have been your mentors and allies? What are your most common battles, and how have you overcome them? How do you plan to use your new found strength, wisdom and power?

You don’t have to be in a galaxy far away to be a hero. You are a hero right now! We are all heroes in our own way. Myths and legends are important because they tell stories of human growth, and we all experience similar journeys which can lead to growth. The stories studied by Campbell are packed with meaning intended to be shared with others. As meaning making creatures, we want to know and feel that what we experience in life has some impact on ourselves, others and the world around us. Your personal hero’s journey is no different. Understanding the meaning behind your trials, battles and triumphs can help to increase strength, wisdom and most importantly growth in your life. I encourage you to write your story; it can be powerful! 

Resource:
Campbell, J. (1972). The hero with a thousand faces. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.