Admitting You Have A Problem Is The First Step
If youve battled with substance abuse, chances are youve heard the saying, admitting you have a problem is the first step in recovery. Theres only one clear fact with addiction: the disease is not straightforward, and recovery doesnt happen overnight. The journey to sobriety often requires intentional steps and clear goals that allow space for setbacks. Understanding how substance abuse impacts your situation is a great starting point to identifying solutions and programs that are right for you.
If denial is the face of addiction, its easy to see how it can prevent many from receiving proper care. Breaking through self-deception is incredibly difficult but often one of the most powerful first steps. It allows the person facing substance abuse to ask one critical question: do I have a problem with drugs and alcohol?
If youre struggling and unsure of where to start, AspenRidge Recovery can help you assess your specific situation. We are available 24/7 at and happy to help you take the first step in your road to recovery.
Asking God To Remove Shortcomings
Humility is the key to Step 7, as individuals are asked to seek Gods will in how their life is to be lived and asking Him to remove shortcomings like the ones outlined in the 12-step program.6
A key realization in Step 7 is when an individual finds that they must place the Higher Power first in their life, rather than only calling upon it when they need helpthat humility neednt always be something that is learned as the result of suffering or failure, but that it is something to be strived for voluntarily.6
Meditation is often useful during Step 7 as a method of self-introspection and learning how to apply humility to ones life.6
Admitting That One Is Powerless Over Addiction
Addiction is a disease that alters brain chemistry and function, thus affecting reward, motivation, willpower, and memory. The first step asks people to accept that they are not able to control their substance abuse and that their motivation and willpower have been compromised.
Moreover, when a person battles addiction, they are no longer able to regulate how much or how often they use drugs and/or alcohol. Identification of this loss control and the admittance of powerlessness over addiction is typically the first step in recovery.
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Foundation For The Other Steps
Step 1 is the foundation for all of the other steps. This is the step where I own my reality. The step I run to when Im feeling insecure. Angry. Triggered. Alone. I ditch the victim mentality, take a step back and take responsibility for my life and my emotions.
This step reminds me of how miserable my life was when I was in active addiction. When things are feeling out of control, I remind myself that I am powerless over my addiction and I need some help.
I surrender.
Step 1 is my surrendering step. My honesty step. My Do you not remember the freaking pain you were swimming through in active addiction? step.
Its the foundation step that cultivates my continued healing, serenity, and joy. The first step might have been my toughest, but Im so grateful I took it!
Find Support For Your Addiction Recovery
Dont try to go it alonereach out for support. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential. The more people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, the better your chances for recovery.
Lean on close friends and family. Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If youre reluctant to turn to your loved ones because youve let them down before, consider going to relationship counseling or family therapy.
Build a sober social network. If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections. Its important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.
Consider moving into a sober living home. Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive place to live while youre recovering from drug addiction. They are a good option if you dont have a stable home or a drug-free living environment.
Make meetings a priority. Join a 12-step recovery support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous , and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what youre going through can be very healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober.
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Taking The First Step Towards Addiction Recovery
Living life free from addiction is by no means easy or smooth sailing. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed and tempted to consume alcohol or drugs once again. Yet, by taking our 5 reasons to live life free from addiction into consideration, you will understand why maintaining your sobriety is important.
If you are ready to live life free from addiction but find yourself unsure of where to start, participating in Go Sober for October or Stoptober could be the first step in the right direction for you.
A 31-day event, Go Sober for October was launched by Macmillan Cancer Support in 2013 to raise funds to support those affected by cancer. Almost ten years later, the event is still as popular as ever as it provides thousands of people with the support and motivation they need to quit smoking and stop drinking alcohol for one month.
Though these events are beneficial, it should be noted that completing Go Sober for October and Stoptober does not remove the need for professional treatment. If you are struggling with an addiction to substances or nicotine, attending rehab is in your best interest.
Quitting Alcohol Drugs Or Smoking Helps Us Feel More Optimistic About The Future
As substances can cloud our judgements and impair our mental health, choosing to live life free from addiction ensures that those in recovery feel much more optimistic about their future.
Instead of encountering feelings such as worthlessness, experiencing low moods, and believing that life will never get better, many find that their mindset drastically changes when sobriety is achieved.
Instead of having a negative outlook on life, many adopt positive mindsets and look forward to seeing what the future holds.
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Identifying Your Needs In Early Recovery
Taking the first step towards sobriety initially consists of putting down the drug or drink and asking for help. Early sobriety can bring on an overwhelming amount of different emotions. It is important for the addict to set themselves
up for success by identifying what their emotional and physical needs are. It is always important to seek medical attention from a health care provider to make sure detox is done safely. However, after detox, what can the addict do next to ensure they achieve long term sobriety?
Whats The Plan For Drug Detoxification
Like mentioned above, drug detoxification is the first step in the recovery process. During this time youll be monitored closely, while administered medicine to help ease withdrawal symptoms. Detox can look a little different for everyone, so its hard to pinpoint what your exact experience will be. Needless to say, well make you as comfortable as possible during this time.
After you complete detox, we recommend two different treatment strategies with the goal of tailoring to your lifestyle and needs residential inpatient treatment and partial hospitalization. Residential inpatient offers a 90-day stay in order to achieve the most optimal outcome of addiction treatment. On the other hand, partial hospitalization is an alternative for those who are not able to attend the 90-day inpatient treatment due to job/family responsibilities. The goal here is to tailor the plan that fits YOU the best.
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When To Enter Recovery
You do not have to move to acceptance on your own. Once you have acknowledged you have a problem, its time to seek addiction treatment. Treatment can help you through your recovery. If you arent sure if you have a substance use disorder, you can get an evaluation at a treatment center. If you have acknowledged that you have an addiction but find it hard to accept yourself as someone who has a substance use disorder, addiction therapy can help you through this stage.
Tips For Finding The Best Drug Addiction Treatment For You
Remember that no treatment works for everyone. Everyones needs are different. Whether you have a problem with illegal or prescription drugs, addiction treatment should be customized to your unique situation. Its important that you find a program that feels right.
Treatment should address more than just your drug abuse. Addiction affects your whole life, including your relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Treatment success depends on developing a new way of living and addressing the reasons why you turned to drugs in the first place. For example, your drug dependency may have developed from a desire to manage pain or to cope with stress, in which case youll need to find a healthier way to relieve pain or to handle stressful situations.
Commitment and follow-through are key. Drug addiction treatment is not a quick and easy process. In general, the longer and more intense the drug use, the longer and more intense the treatment youll need. And in all cases, long-term follow-up care is crucial to recovery.
There are many places to turn for help. Not everybody requires medically supervised detox or an extended stint in rehab. The care you need depends on a variety of factors, including your age, drug-use history, medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to doctors and psychologists, many clergy members, social workers, and counselors offer addiction treatment services.
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Taking The First Step: Daily Meditations For 12 Step Programs
Hear todays show to help persons in Twelve Step Programs to daily experience the new philosophy of life which Addiction Recovery represents, and to recognize the benefits of discovering and expanding spiritual awareness.
The basic principles of Twelve Step Programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous, Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, Over-Eaters Anonymous, etc., are as old as recorded history. These principles not only form the working philosophy of Twelve Step Programs, but they provide a pattern for Right living, Overcoming difficulties, and Helping us to achieve our aspirations. By working The Program at our own pace and in our own way relying on the help and support of our Higher Power and others who also work The Program, we can change and be transformed. They include the following:
1) Acknowledgment of our dependency on a Supreme Being.
2) Love of our fellow man and recognition of human dignity and value.
3) Awareness of the need to improve ourselves through self-appraisal and admitting to our faults.
4) Belief in the effective spiritual power of true personal humility and conscious gratitude.
5) Willingness to help others.
The material in this book is designed to help us on our daily journey in Recovery. Each month is dedicated to one of the Twelve Steps. Each day in the month contains information and stories, which relate to issues and/or suggestions for working the Step.
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What Are The 6 Stages Of Change
The stages of change, or the transtheoretical model of health behavior change, suggests that there are 6 distinct stages that a person goes through when making a change in their behaviors. Research done in the development of this theory suggests that recruitment, retention, and progress is improved when individuals are matched with the specific stage of change they are in when making health behavior changes.3 While not specific to addiction recovery, this method may be used to help support the recovery process. These stages are theoretical in nature and may not look the same for every person. The 6 stages are:3,6
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Finding Quality Treatment For Substance Use Disorders
This fact sheet serves as a guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.
Finding Treatment Options For Addiction
Even if it is up to you to take the first step, the process of recovery is not a singular one. It is important to seek out the help you need for addiction recovery, including those who can help you process the impact of your addiction, lay out the next steps, and provide counseling. Thankfully, there are many services available to help those with addictive, disorders. Support meetings can give you the support you need, while sessions at a treatment center can help you explore the root causes of addiction.
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How You Can Make Step One Easier To Accomplish
When you start to fully immerse yourself in the 12 steps, you may experience a number of different emotions. There is nothing light and breezy about step one. Instead, it is often viewed as one of the most difficult steps to accomplish. After all, it requires admittance of having a problem. However, when you do step one, there are things you can do to make it easier.
Some of the most important things you can do when working the first step can include the following:
There is no specific way to do step one, as every person struggling with addiction is different. The most important thing you can do when working step one is to remember the goal of the step. Do what you can to fully absorb the meaning of the step, and take action that will help you to surrender.
Levels Of Severity Of Substance Use Problems
Alcohol and drug issues vary from person to person. Factors to consider often depend on the length of use, type of drug used, and amount consumed. There are different levels of substance abuse severity.
Its easy to justify drug or alcohol use as something you want to do. However, a person can quickly become consumed by ongoing habitual use and, with time, will begin to use due to uncontrollable urges. At this point, substance dependency has set in and the severity of substance abuse has increased.
Living life constantly under the influence of drugs often leads to depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment. Drugs and alcohol actually affect brain chemistry after continual use. So even if you think current drinking and drug use is fine, eventually your body may be damaged by their long-term effects and you may be unable to resist ongoing use.
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Celebrating Milestones In Recovery
The journey to recovery is never really over, but inner strength can continue to increase along the way. While resources are needed to facilitate change and achieve goals, a persons individual strengths and resilience can be considered a resource. There is no final step in the recovery process, but it is important to celebrate each sober day and acknowledge milestones met during the recovery process.
The Purpose Of The 12 Steps
The 12 Steps were created by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous to establish guidelines to overcome an addiction to alcohol. The program gained enough success in its early years for other addiction support groups to adapt the steps to their own needs.
There are many 12-step programs for various addictions and compulsive behaviors, ranging from Cocaine Anonymous to Debtors Anonymousall using the same 12-Step methods.
Although the 12 Steps are based on spiritual principles, many nonreligious people have found the program immensely helpful. The language emphasizes the presence of God as each participant understands God, allowing for different interpretations and religious beliefs.
Top 10 Rehab Questions
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Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction
The 12 steps of recovery can be essential agents in the fight against addiction, but they are not the only ones. Research has found that outcomes are improved when people also undergo inpatient and/or intensive outpatient treatment that includes evidence-based approaches such as behavioral therapy and counseling.
Our professional staff offers expertise in addiction and provides clients with the tools needed to recover and maintain long-lasting wellness and sobriety.
Drug Recovery At The Dawn Drug Rehabilitation Centre Thailand
If you or someone you know is battling an addiction, now is the best time to seek treatment and start the recovery journey towards sobriety. The Dawn Medical Rehab & Wellness Centre is an inpatient rehabilitation centre where our clients are taken care of by a licensed team of addiction professionals who use personalised treatment plans and evidence-based techniques to increase your chances of success.
We also offers an integrated dual diagnosis treatment programmes for individuals who are suffering from an addiction and a mental health and/or behavioural condition simultaneously.
Contact The Dawn today to receive a no-obligation assessment and find out what help is available. You can also call us on one of our toll-free numbers.
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How To Correctly Do Step One And Surrender
For nearly 100 years, the 12-steps have helped countless alcoholics and addicts overcome their challenges. In addition, it helps them learn how to live without turning to the use of drugs or alcohol. Today, there are thousands of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings held in over 180 nations throughout the world, where the 12-Steps are practiced. However, people do not need to go to AA or NA to learn about the 12-Steps and adapt them to their lives, as they can also get exposed to them through professional addiction treatment programs. No matter how, when, or why a person begins utilizing the 12-Step model, doing so can be positively transformative.
Each of the 12 Steps has its own identity, as they focus on different areas of ones development and growth post addiction. The first step is sometimes viewed as being the most difficult of them all, as it takes courage and a leap of faith to get moving on working this step. It reads:
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol that our lives had become unmanageable.
