Realistic Relationship

Relationships can be like a drug. Have you heard the term serial dater? It is a person who will date someone for a few weeks during the happy go lucky feel good time when adrenaline is at a high and then as soon as the adrenaline rush starts to dim, boom – the relationship is ended and a new one begins. They do this to get the high feeling that new relationships bring. It is a form of addiction.

Realistically relationships have their ups and downs. It is the commitment to work through the bad that makes a relationship strong. Yes, in the beginning a relationship is fun and exciting full of first and new things and feelings. However, as a relationship ages, those feelings do dim. It may go through stages of highs and lows depending on what is going on around each individual. They can be painful and they can be exhilarating. A stable relation will have highs and low, with the highest percentage of it being just even toned where each partner is happy and comfortable with the other. You will bicker over laundry duties or other insignificant things, and argue over bigger things. You will work out duty details and through disagreements. There can be many things that bring your relationship to those exhilarating moments and just as many things that can bring it to a low. As long as your relationship isn’t like a roller-coaster out of control, you probably have a fairly healthy if not healthy relationship.

However, if it is full of constant battles that repeat regardless of makeup’s you are swimming in troubled waters. One of the biggest obstacles in recovery is placing unrealistic expectations on ones self, others and relationships. It is easy to become carried away with romantic fantasy of the future with a new relationship but when they do not pan out, the hurt hits and your recovery can be in jeopardy if you do not know how to work through it or have people to talk to during the difficult time. It is true relationships can add happiness to ones life, but in order for this to happen, you already have to be happy with where your life is at. You cannot expect a relationship to take you out of a slump. It may for a minute but only because it is new. Once the newness wears off, the slump will return. Relationships remain healthy because both parties are committed to keeping it healthy and happy. It is a dual effort and work.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Do you have a Strong Personal Support Network?

When referencing a personal support network, I am not referring to just your counselors and support groups. I am talking about a personal support network that will help you connect with the world outside of treatment. Having a strong personal support network is imperative part of your transition to your new drug free life.

While attending an addiction treatment program you will need support during and after the treatment process. By doing so only increase your chances of a successful recovery. Having people who care about you and your recovery give you the outlet needed to be able to go out and enjoy what the world has to offer without the worry of being put into situations that are not conducive to your goal of staying clean. This helps lowers the risks of relapse as well. .

When entering a treatment program you will have many emotions to deal with - emotions that you have kept hidden by your drug/alcohol use. As these emotions begin to arise, you will begin to think about various things you did to friends and family members that you regret – lying, stealing, and hurting those close to you in various other ways. Because of your past actions while you were using, you may feel you have alienated yourself from any outside support. You may feel like you have burnt all your bridges and do not deserve the support from these individuals anyhow. And more than likely you are uncomfortable in asking for support for fear of being rejected

With all these negatives thoughts, you have to stay positive about your recovery goal. During your time in the treatment program is the perfect time to speak to your counselors about these feelings and to work through them. The relationships that have been strained due to your drug or alcohol addiction are going to take time to heal, and in some situations, they may not ever heal. However, there are still other avenues to pursue to find a strong support network.
Leaders of your religious community such as ministers, rabbi’s, priest, deacons, etc.

• Family members still open to communication
• Good friends that have your best interest in mind.
• People at work in which you have connected with that have your best interest in mind.
• People from organizations you belong to such as your local gym that you can connect with doing fun things yet with your recovery in mind.

Approach people you would like to support you by being direct and honest and simple ask for what type of support you are seeking. Maybe it is just a companion to attend events with such as movies or other enjoyable activities. Maybe it is someone to go to church with you. Or maybe what you may seek in a support person is someone to just take a walk or drive with to talk over things tat are going on with you at the moment. By having others around you also gives you the opportunity to support back or learn how to be supportive. Often during the vicious cycle of addiction, many lose the basic qualities it takes to be a friend and by having a large support network, those qualities that you are lacking in can be learned or refined by a strong support network as well.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow

Relationships After Addiction

You had an addiction in the past and worked hard to get out of its grip. You were successful and are now on the road to recovery. You are to be applauded for the job you’ve done so far. Recovery is an ongoing process. One of the things that can cause a setback is a personal relationship that occurs to soon in recovery.

Recovery is full of relationships and most of them are quite healthy. You most likely belong to a support group and have formed many relationships there. Those people understand and empathize with the pains and trials of recovery. Friendships and lasting bonds may be formed and they will help in the recovery process.

Aside from these peer support relationships you are working on family relationships also. You may even have professional relationships that form with your therapist or the addiction professionals that you are working with. All of these are beneficial to your recovery.

Many addicts of drugs and alcohol experience a lessening of sexual desires due to the effects of substance abuse. With addiction, all of your energy, thoughts and feelings are tied to the substance you are using. You don’t have the time or the inclination to care about another person. Now that you are no longer addicted, you are experiencing normal sexual desires and you are vulnerable to creating strong infatuations or romantic feelings that have long been dormant.

Romantic relationships or volatile sexual relationships are rarely helpful or beneficial to the recovering addict. The very nature of romance or sexual relationships turn your attention to others when it really needs to be focused on internal healing that is a part of your recovery. This is no way means you will never be able to have a personal relationship in the future. It merely means that you should be cautious about the timing of such a union. There is no time frame set in stone, it’s something you will have to consider and decide on your own. If you have thoughts to share about this process, please let us know.

If you know someone who is addicted to a substance, let them know that A Better Tomorrow can help them to recovery. You’ve been there, help them make this step.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow