Finding Your Way to Lifelong Recovery from Addiction

No one said addiction recovery would be easy. If that were the case, there would be no need for substance abuse rehabilitation. If you have struggled with addiction and you were successful in your initial efforts at recovery, you need to be proud of your accomplishment. This is a major step forward. However, you can never let your guard down.

Addiction is an illness. You will always be considered a recovering addict. Whether you fall prey to drug abuse or alcohol abuse, the threat of falling back on bad habits is very real. Temptation, a crisis, or a moment of weakness are all it can take to lead you down that dark path again. Be prepared. Your journey out of addiction may carry you down a long road, but there is always hope burning brightly at the end.

Long-Term Treatment is the Best Way to Achieve Lifelong Recovery

Addiction recovery is a slippery slope. You can begin to make progress, climbing your way toward the peak of success only to slide back into drug or alcohol use again. You need to go into the recovery process with a realistic perspective. It’s going to take hard work and time to overcome the illness that has taken over your life.

Your initial treatment is only the beginning. When you go back home, you will need to go to local support meetings on a regular basis to keep yourself from turning back to addiction. For example, most Ohioans would attend outpatient rehab in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Cleveland for several months after their initial treatment process.  These programs can continue to provide you counseling when you are faced with problems in the outside world again.

Facing the pressures of family, work, and other obligations can make it difficult to stay on the straight and narrow path of sobriety. If you slip, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be open with your friends and family members as you ask for their support as well. It can be as simple as making sure alcohol or cigarettes aren’t available at gatherings. Your loved ones share your goal of achieving sobriety. When you have a solid support system at home or only a phone call away, it can help you to stay strong.

Don’t Let Yourself Get Discouraged

Addiction recovery can often feel like you are in a Catch-22, taking two steps forward only to fall three steps back. You may fall down, but you need to pick yourself up again. Get back on the right path.

Don’t be afraid to admit you are struggling. Ask others around you to help you to get on track again. Remember that the drug addiction outlook is much worse. If you don’t overcome this problem, you are headed on a one-way street to a life of destroyed careers, relationships, and your health.

Addiction could lead to the greatest cost of all–your life. It may be hard to conquer your addiction, but it is not impossible.

Don’t Give Up

The most important lesson you need to learn in the fight for addiction recovery is you cannot quit. Every sober day is a victory, no matter how many times you give in to your cravings.

If your initial efforts at addiction recovery haven’t worked, it’s time to look for a new solution. Talk to your counselors, your doctor, and your loved ones. Send out a cry for help to lead you to the right treatment plan for you.

A sober living house may be the transition you need once you complete a rehab program or you may need ongoing outpatient services. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude to win the war inside your body against drug or alcohol abuse.

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