The Benefits of Journaling

You don’t have to be a great writer to reap the benefits of keeping a personal journal. You don’t have to have neat penmanship and you don’t need to be a good speller. If you can read what you write, that’s all that’s necessary. A journal could be done on a computer as well as on paper. Make it convenient for yourself. You don’t have to write in a journal every day, but it is beneficial to you if you do. If you feel the need, especially in the beginning, you may want to go back to it several times in one day. The good thing about using a notebook is that it is portable and you can carry it with you no matter where you go. A laptop would work the same way, but most computers are stationary.

A journal is nothing more than putting your thoughts and feelings on paper. It can contain anything you want to commit to it. You can share it with others, or you can keep it to yourself. The benefit comes from putting your thoughts into words. At some point you may want to go back and read what you have written. It’s a visible tool you can use to see how you are progressing through your recovery. We all have things locked inside of us that we may not feel we can share with anyone else.

Putting it down on paper is a way of sharing. Just writing it down can be a reliever of the stress we suffer from keeping it locked inside ourselves. In a way, it is like sharing it with another person. Once we write it down on paper, we can look at, think about it, analyze it, and quite possibly start to recover from it. At some point, you may even be able to talk about it with someone else, although it’s not imperative that you do. It’s whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Journaling can be a great stress reliever. It can help you solve problems. You will be able to see things more clearly as you read what you have written. The mind is only capable of so much and rarely can you envision the ‘whole picture’. Putting it in writing can help you do that.

If journaling has helped you in your recovery process, let us hear about it. If you have found something that works as well or better, tell us about that too. If you or someone you love has an addiction problem, there is help out there. A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from you, today. Make the call, life can be better.


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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Life After Death

The life of an addict can be broken down into three phases. The first phase would be life before drugs. The second phase could be considered death. The third phase, and hopefully the last for you, is life after death.

Phase one covers all of the time from your birth to the point in time where drugs became your obsession. Relationships with family and friends were built. Your school years came and most likely went according to schedule. You had a variety of jobs and maybe even embarked on a career. You surely formed serious relationships, maybe even got married and had children. All of these relationships and events could be categorized from the pits to the best, or somewhere in between. No matter how you would rate each of them, they were real.

Phase two began as phase one started to fade. Drugs became more important than anything or anyone in your life. It was definitely the end of life as you knew it. There was trust that is no more. You began alienating yourself from people, family, friends and co-workers because no one could understand what you were going through. The truth is, they did understand what you were going through, they just couldn’t see a reason why. They wanted what was best for you and you only wanted the release you found in drugs. The paths were not compatible. Separation was inevitable. Addiction is a lonely place, a death in almost every sense of the word.

Life after death is hopefully your final phase. You have kicked the habit and are working hard to stay away from the temptation of drugs. You are most likely trying to mend all the broken fences of relationships with family and friends. You are heading towards being an acceptable part of society again. If you haven’t started working yet, you will. No one is about to tell you that any of this is easy, but you can do it. You will have to work long and hard to earn back the trust you threw away. Your life will go in the direction you want, you are totally in charge of your destiny.

If you have found a way that worked well for you, please share it with us so others may benefit from your trials. If you or someone you know has a problem with addiction we want you to be assured that there is help available. A Better Tomorrow is the answer and they are waiting to hear from you.


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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Support Groups

There are numerous support groups that exist for a variety of reasons. We have discussed two of the largest and best known groups, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The alcoholic does not exist in a vacuum. Their addiction causes problems and concerns for others as well, including friends, co-workers and family members. There are support groups available for them as well as for the recovering alcoholic.

Al-Anon has been in existence for over 55 years offering hope and support to those adults who are affected by a problem drinker. Each alcoholic affects the life of at least four other people. It doesn’t matter whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not, if you have a relationship with them, you need the support, strength and fellowship of Al-Anon. Al-Anon was formed by Lois Wilson in 1951. She is the wife of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson.

Alateen is part of Al-Anon but is for young people ages 12 to 20. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members. Its goal is to help them recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of the alcoholic. In terms they can easily understand they learn that compulsive drinking is a disease and that they are not the cause of anyone else’s drinking or behavior. They are advised that they cannot change or control anyone but themselves. They learn that they can still love the person while detaching themselves emotionally from the drinker’s problems. They discover that they can build satisfying life experiences for themselves, no matter what else is happening in their home.

There are other support groups that are run by churches, hospitals, clinics and work places. Whether you are the recovering alcoholic or a friend or relative of an alcoholic, it is important for you to know that there are support groups available to help you face life. There are Nar-Anon groups for the families and friends of drug addicts. If there is no support group in your area, contact the national group and find out about starting one of your own.

If you or someone you know has a problem with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from you. They can get you started down the recovery road.


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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Avoiding a Relapse

Congratulations! You’ve beat your addiction, whatever it might have been but you might still be feeling a bit shaky about your future. That’s totally understandable. You lived in a vacuum of dependence where all you had to drive you was your next fix. The world has opened up for you and you’ll need to figure out how to go about fitting back in.

First off you have got to believe in yourself. You’ve already come through the worst of it. Look at yourself in the mirror each morning and tell yourself, “I am surrounded by people who love and care for me”, “I am free of the past”, “I control my future”, and “I can do this”.

Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. You are making changes that will affect the rest of your life. Do not make important decisions without giving yourself time to think it through. If you need to talk to someone, do it. Counseling is not a bad thing. If you don’t want the structure of counseling, talk to someone you trust, be it a friend or family member.

Recovery is your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel you need it. If you have something on your mind or in your heart that you don’t want to trust to another individual, try talking to God or your higher power whoever it may be. If your higher power is God, seek solace and talk to him aloud and trust that nothing you say to Him will come as a shock. He will not judge you for what you are bringing to Him. Let yourself feel the love and acceptance that only He can give you.

If you have found other methods that worked for you, let us know what they are so others might use them too. If you or someone you know has a problem with an addiction there is help available. Call A Better Tomorrow and let them help you find the way back to the life you deserve.

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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Celebrate Your Recovery

With the unpleasantness of the chains of addiction behind you, you might well be wondering what comes next. You need to start with a celebration. You’ve worked hard to get where you are today and you’ve earned the right to share your good news with family and close friends. They all worried about you and wanted you to succeed in your fight against addiction. They were probably your staunchest supporters and I believe they still are today.

Family and friends love getting together for no reason at all, think about how much better this will be. They will be celebrating you and your recovery. What better way to celebrate than with a potluck. Most people love potlucks as it is a way for them to show off their culinary skills as well as being able to sample the best dishes of others. Food has long been considered comforting, especially desserts with chocolate at the top of the list.

Nothing soothes the psyche as much as good food and great company. Don’t discount all the agony you went through and the hard work and determination that got you through it. It really does call for a celebration. The positive feed back that you are sure to get from everyone attending will go a long ways towards making you feel better about yourself. These people believe in you. They’re glad that you have reached this point in your recovery and, like you, they have a vested interest in your future. They care about you, more than you may ever be able to appreciate.
If you have kicked your habit, whatever it might have been, and found another way to celebrate, let us know. Your happiness will go a long ways towards making sure you don’t relapse. Count your blessings, everyday. Write them down if you need to, but don’t ever forget them.

If you or someone you know is still battling with an addiction, A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from you, today. Make the call and start your journey to a better way of life.

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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Twelve Step Program – Narcotics Anonymous

A twelve step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action to aid in the recovery from addiction. While twelve step programs have been adapted for use with a variety of compulsion and behavioral problems, this article will focus on its use to treat addiction.

Only two of the words, in two of the steps, of the Twelve Step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous were changed and became the foundation of Narcotics Anonymous. In the first step the word alcohol was replaced by ‘our addiction’. In the twelfth step the word alcoholics was replaced by ‘addicts’. NA is a nonprofit organization that supports men and women who have had major problems with drugs and addiction. The program is group oriented as are other twelve step programs. After Alcoholics Anonymous it is the second largest 12-step organization in existence. There are over 40,000 NA meetings that are conducted in over 125 countries.

Membership in Narcotics Anonymous is totally free. The only requirement to join is a desire to stop using. Meetings are held in a variety of public places such as libraries, hospitals, clinics, community centers, parks or church meeting rooms. Members find a home group, usually one with easy access for them. They are allowed to sit in on other groups particularly if they are out of the area where their home group is located. The group meets regularly to help each other stay clean.

NA defines "clean" as complete abstinence from all mood and mind altering substances, including alcohol. The only interest and focus of these groups is keeping its members clean. NA does not get involved in any outside issues including science, medicine or politics. It also does not endorse any other organizations or institutions. It does not advertise or promote itself in any way. They attract new members through public information and outreach, or word of mouth.

If you, or someone you love, are suffering with an addiction, A Better Tomorrow knows how to help. They are only waiting for your call. Be strong; make that call today to get yourself, or your loved one, on the road to recovery.


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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Twelve Step Program—Alcoholics Anonymous

A twelve step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action to aid in the recovery from addiction. While twelve step programs have been adapted for use with a variety of compulsion and behavioral problems, this article will outline its use for Alcoholics Anonymous.

The first twelve step program was devised by Alcoholics Anonymous AA as a recovery tool from alcoholism. The first publication of the Twelve Steps was in 1939 in the book, Alcoholics Anonymous: the Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism. The original Twelve Steps published by AA are:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” http://www.aa.org/en_pdfs/smf-121_en.pdf

We all, at one time or another, seen AA meetings enacted on television. This method of staying dry has worked for countless individuals. Don’t be too quick to discount its power. If you, or someone you love, have a problem with alcohol dependence, contact A Better Tomorrow, today. Give them a call and let them help you to the road of recovery. You can do it!


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
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