Recovery

The first step in recovery is to stop drinking or using drugs.  This may take professional help, although some people have been able to do it with the assistance of self-help groups such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous.  However it is done, it is only a beginning.

 Anyone can be forced to stop drinking or using drugs.  We see it all the time when addicts and alcoholics are sent to jail.  Most of them however, start to use again as soon as they are released.  Obviously, just stopping alcohol or drugs is not recovery.

 Recovery is returning to a happy, productive, responsible life.  It is not being free of all problems, but it is having the ability to deal with and work through problems in a clear and sober state of mind.  Recovery is recognizing ability and having the endurance to use that ability to achieve goals that may have long ago been set aside.

 Recovery is having mature relationships and gaining the trust and respect of others.  It is following through on commitments and promises.  It is developing true and lasting relationships and being a friend as well as having a friend.

 Recovery is accomplishing all of these things without the use of mind or mood altering chemicals which mask the true person.

 Recovery is a process.  Addicts and alcoholics did not develop their addiction in a few weeks or months, and they won’t achieve true recovery in a short period of time.  They will see progress along the way, however, and this progress will inspire them to go even further.

 Recovery, for an addict, is becoming the person he or she would have been if alcohol or drugs hadn’t gotten in the way!