Newsletter Reprint

The addiction to alcohol and other drugs contributes to illness, accidents and abuse. Addiction can cause broken families, broken lives and broken spirits. Although addiction is powerful, recovery is possible.

Putting down the alcohol or drug is just the first step on the long road to recovery. Some say giving up the substance is easy compared to what lies ahead. Recovery means changing your life. And change is hard.

According to a noted author in the addictions field, recovery is not only breaking your primary addiction, it is rebuilding a life that was saved when you gave up your addiction. Recovery occurs when personal and spiritual growth takes place.

Abstaining from the alcohol or the drug does not make your life automatically better. Recovery is a lifelong, sometimes, slow process. You don't just "get" recovery; you have to start living in a way that promotes recovery. That means making changes physically, emotionally and spiritually. It means having a plan for recovery and sticking with it

Individuals get into recovery for their addictions for many reasons. Some experience health problems, some have family problems and others feel pressure at work.

Treatment can start at a hospital detox facility, an inpatient treatment center or an outpatient site. Many get into recovery without formal treatment at all. Many alcoholics/addicts get involved in twelve step groups like AA or NA. These groups bring together men and women of all ages with varied social, economic and cultural backgrounds. These men and women join together to help themselves and help others. Individuals who have been in the program for a period of time help the newcomers by sharing their experiences. Twelve step and other self-help groups are available around the country and the world to help save the lives of many men and women.

Recovery is possible for those who love the alcoholic/addict and are thereby affected by the use of alcohol and drugs. Some get involved with treatment, some get involved with twelve step or other self-help groups, some get involved with both. In fact, most alcoholics/addict's loved ones who attend treatment also attend twelve step groups. Recovery is really the beginning of a new life, a life without alcohol or drugs, a life of changes and challenges. It is a life of hope.

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