Drug and Alcohol Rehab Solutions for Addiction

The path to recovery from addiction has various problems. The first, obviously, is trying to kick whatever habit it was you had, and another big one involves trying to repair relationships damaged due to your addiction.

Addicts can be the nicest, most caring people at times. They are our friends, spouses and children, and we have tried to love them throughout their period of addiction. But when an addict has lied, stolen, cheated, lost his job, disrupted another’s way of life or been violent or abusive, sometimes repairing those relationships is extremely difficult. Being an addict, or ex-addict, you will find yourself constantly apologizing – even for actions you were not aware of. Some addicts may hear what they did whilst addicted and become so totally ashamed and embarrassed, their only recourse is to slip back into addiction – they can’t deal with the guilt inside themselves. The longer they have been an addict and the older they get, the worse their isolation and negative outlook on life can become.

The other side of that is one gets sick of one’s behavior after repeating it a lot. A crisis develops inside where one just doesn’t want to live in lies and manipulations.

Should you be in a relationship when in recovery? In many cases the answer is yes. The marriage vows state quite clearly “in sickness and in health” and addiction is a form of ill health. If a spouse has cared for an addict throughout the period of addiction and been a part of getting the addict some kind of counseling or help, then that relationship is something to encourage the addict, and keep him in a positive mindset. Looking forward to seeing your children again, for example, can be a serious reason to kick an addiction and progress along the road to recovery.

On the other hand, if all friends and relations of the addict abandon him during his recovery, it can give the recovering addict more reasons to blame himself, and have feelings of loneliness, despair and depression – this can lead one to fall into self-pity and possibly relapse.

The process of recovery must start with the addict admitting that he is an addict. Most people are aware of what happens at AA meetings. One of the largest hurdles that alcoholics face is simply saying, “Hello, my name is … and I’m an alcoholic.” But by saying those few words, it brings home the truth, and these words must be repeated often. Many advise not to jump into a relationship with another member of AA or NA. Work on yourself and talk to your sponsor. Down the road, consider a relationship once you are more healed.

If you are in a relationship with another addict then no, that relationship should end. One rule that should be applied to your life while in recovery is not to associate with anybody who was within the circle of addiction. The dealers, the enablers, the other addicts and people involved with your addiction, and the places you used to go, to should never be revisited, it will only bring temptation and that temptation will probably occur when you are depressed or feeling lonely. Remove yourself from everyone except people who love you, outside of your old bad habit. If you’re a recovering nicotine addict, don’t stand outside with the smokers. If you’re a recovering alcoholic, don’t go to the bars you frequented or drive past your favorite liquor store – find a different path home. It is similar to the way a person who is trying to diet would not bring ice cream and sweets into their home. Why set yourself up for falling into temptations?

True friends – and that should hopefully include your spouse will support you through your recovery, give you a shoulder to cry on and a hug when you need it. Love can conquer all.