Getting the Support You Need for Recovery
Before your start to recovery, You’ve realized you’re in trouble. You seem to be completely consumed–by alcohol. Or cocaine, or crystal meth, or heroin, or marijuana, or compulsive sex, or gambling, or compulsive overeating. And your life is a mess.
Welcome to reality.
This is where the rubber meets the road.
If you’ve hit your bottom, you’re probably feeling pretty desperate right now. And, you’re willing to go to any length to feel better. Good. The only way now is UP.
Kudos to you if you’ve gone through a formal treatment program for your addiction. That takes time, energy, effort, money AND courage. You know that’s what you needed to do. But, now what?
Now you CONTINUE to reach out for help. You’re going to need all the help you can get. And it’s out there just waiting for you.
This segment of “Your Journey Into Recovery” looks into the crucial role that support from others will play in your recovery. You won’t be able to do this alone. Any kind of addiction leads to loneliness and isolation. Isolation from HEALTHY people, places and things. It destroys relationships, careers, families and the SPIRIT. So, an inherent part of recovery is learning to accept help from others and following their lead in your recovery. There have been many who have walked the road of recovery ahead of you. Let them help you.
You’ll find support from friends and family who want the best for you. You’ll find support from your church or religious organization that you belong to. You’ll find support from the doctors and therapists at the treatment center you went through. You’ll find support from the numerous organizations that have internet resources about addiction recovery. You’ll find support from professional therapists in the community who are trained to steer you in the right direction. And you’ll find support from the recovery-centered groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Alanon and many others like them.
Webster’s Dictionary defines “support” as—“to maintain by supplying with things necessary to existence; to provide for”.
Nice definition. You’ll certainly need support to be able to maintain your sobriety—a condition of your “being” now which will be necessary to sustain your existence on this planet.
Period.
Addiction is a chronic, progressive, fatal illness. And the word fatal implies DEATH. Addiction kills unless it is arrested.
Put your ego and pride to the side. You’re fooling yourself if you think you’ll be able to remain sober on your own—IF you’re a REAL alcoholic or addict—you’ll need help. And there’s plenty of help out there. It’s up to YOU to reach out for it. And you’re worth it.
“The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one’s life.” –Dalai Lama
For more information or to speak with a friendly Lifetree counselor call (972)234-6634
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