Stages In Addiction Recovery

January 02,2013

Nobody ever said recovery would be easy. Just ask people at an AA or NA meeting. There are many steps to recovery, some say 12 Steps, and if you try to leapfrog, you might miss the lily pad.

Nobody ever said recovery would be easy. Just ask people at an AA or NA meeting. There are many steps to recovery, some say 12 Steps, and if you try to leapfrog, you might miss the lily pad.

Addiction, contrary to what many say, isn't a choice. The choice is too often, not always, to experiment with drugs or alcohol. What happens is that over time, your body begins to rely on the substance for daily satisfaction. Before they know it, life without the substance, drugs or alcohol, is painful, and for many, even impossible to fathom.

Usually, an addict who hits rock-bottom will seek recovery. Unfortunately, that's not always the case, and nobody knows what their true bottom is. What others see happening to the addict is usually not what the addict sees, and if the addict doesn't see it, it won't matter. Denial is a powerful force, and living in denial makes possible our ability to live a life that causes damage to us. All 12 Step programs begin with Step 1, admitting we are powerless over drugs and alcohol, and our lives have become unmanageable. Since drugs and alcohol cause most, if not all of the problems, we think that we can change it for others, or for ourselves, without understanding the immensity of the power drugs and alcohol have.

Grief is composed of several steps, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Addiction is no different. In Stage 1, we say œI don't have a problem. In Stage 2, we cry out, œThis isn't fair, it's your fault, don't blame me! By Stage 3, we bargain: œIf you stop bothering me, I'll be able to stop on my own. Almost there, we enter Stage 4, a bout of depression: œI don't want to lose everything. Nobody cares about me. My life sucks. Finally, Stage 5, acceptance: œI have a problem, I don't want to live like this anymore, and I need and want help. If everyone would read this and skip to Stage 5, life would be so much easier. Recovery is a series of relapses and recoveries, though, and working through the steps toward acceptance to the problem. That's the beginning of real recovery.

It's not uncommon for recovering addicts to have second thoughts about their new lifestyle. Don't view second thoughts as a failure. Discuss the thoughts with a sponsor.

Your best chance for recovery comes from education. When everyone involved is on the same page, when they understand enabling, and learn how to let go, the recovery efforts work better. It takes time, effort, and patience. Start with a simple prayer: God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

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Florida Center for Recovery is a private drug and alcohol rehab center, dedicated for over ten years in providing addiction treatment services and programs for thousands of families nation-wide, and has saved numerous lives as a result. Our mission is not only to treat individuals who suffer from various drug addictions, but also those who suffer from mental disorders such as ADD or ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Post traumatic Stress Disorder. Call today and speak with one of our licensed counselors to receive information on how you can find the most suitable program for you or your loved one.

Florida Center for Recovery “ Addiction Treatment Center: 1-800-960-5041

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Florida Center for Recovery

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MARK KILLAR

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