You have escaped the confinement of addiction and you know it’s not a place you ever want to return to. It still takes commitment and hard work as you continue to recover. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to know you don’t want to return to the life of an addict. It’s not even sufficient just to voice your concern. Just as you have spent time making a life plan, you need to spend time making a relapse prevention plan. This is something you need to commit to paper instead of formulating it in your mind and expecting that you will be able to remember what you decided. It is a plan that you will want to be able to read and study and adapt as you feel changes are needed.
If you have not already identified the thoughts, feelings, behaviors and situations that triggered your drug use, that will be your first step. You can’t know what to avoid unless these things have been identified. You need to be brutally honest with yourself here. If there are aspects you can’t define on your own, get help. A sponsor, a family member, friend, or a medical professional might be able to help guide you through this process.
After that is done, you will need to determine coping skills that you will be able to use to keep you from falling prey to addictive behaviors again. Ideally, for each thought, feeling, behavior, and situation you identified, there should be a coping skill in place.
Lastly you will need to develop specific strategies and monitoring techniques to ensure the application of the coping skills you came up with. The final step will be to implement the plan. All the planning in the world won’t work unless it is used.
If you have used a relapse prevention plan, take the time to let us know how it worked for you. Doing this will not only help you, it may be the key to saving someone else from a relapse. If you know someone who is locked in a world of drugs, let them know that A Better Tomorrow can get them on the road to recovery. It only takes one phone call to initiate help.
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!
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Recovering or Recovered
Addiction was your life, but now it’s over. The strength you have nurtured to this point has seen you through the worst of it. Now, you are left with the future and it will be what you make of it. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Although it’s not a new adage, it is a profound one. It is one that can be renewed every day and it will still be true.
Depending on who you ask or what you read, you might think that recovering and recovered are interchangeable words for those who were addicts. It doesn’t seem like a big difference between the two, just a different suffix. The implication is a major one. Recovered implies that it is a job that is finished, complete with no more work that needs to be done. That simply is not true.
Recovery occurs over time, it is a process that allows the addict to grow healthier in body, mind and spirit. It is a constantly changing time in your life that requires ongoing effort and hard work. Physical and emotional wellness especially in your relationship with others is a way to measure and mark your progress.
Although you have made the commitment to end your addiction, you are still vulnerable to a relapse. Recovery requires sustained effort and thus is never done. The term recovering allows you and others to recognize that you are a work in progress. There may be some bumps in the road, but all will know that you are working towards making things better.
Using the word recovered may give you a sense that you are cured and you may be lulled into thinking that you are ready to go back to casual use of drugs or alcohol. Don’t be fooled into believing that you can go back to that place and time where the use of drugs or alcohol did not cause you problems. Your addiction changed the physical makeup of the brain and it is not something that you can undo. For you there is no such thing as using in a controlled fashion.
If you have found an effective way to deal with a drug or alcohol problem, please let us know. If you have any thoughts you would like to share on this blog, we would love to hear from you. If you know someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol and they are looking for help, send them to A Better Tomorrow. The road to recovery is just a phone call away.
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
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
After the Treatment
The treatment center you attended for your addiction probably wasn't much fun, especially at first. But, you stuck with it and you made it through the program. Don’t for one minute let yourself believe that getting through the detoxification program is all you have to do. You went there because you wanted to quit using and abusing alcohol or drugs. You’ve completed the program, that’s step number one. Remember, you went there for help because you could not quit on your own. If you try to make it alone from here on out, chances are you will become a relapse statistic.
The treatment center will more than likely suggest that you get involved in long term treatment. There are going to be times you will need the extra support.
Although you are responsible for your own life it doesn’t hurt to listen to the advice of professionals who have been helping others like yourself for a long time. Face it, when you were left to your own devices you didn’t do so well. That’s how you got addicted in the first place. You don’t have to take their advice, but it sure can’t hurt to listen and take it under advisement.
Recovery is a life long process. The weeks you spent at the treatment center were just the jump start to get you going towards the rest of your life. AA and NA have daily meetings for a reason. You need them. Find one and go to meetings every day. You’ll find support and insight from other recovering addicts free of charge. Get a sponsor, and let them help you.
Let us hear from you if you have found a successful way to keep yourself on the high road. Your success story might help someone else find their way. If you know someone who is struggling with alcohol or drugs, let them know that there is help available. It’s as close as their phone. A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from them today. Let them know they deserve a better life and tell them how they can find 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
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
The treatment center will more than likely suggest that you get involved in long term treatment. There are going to be times you will need the extra support.
Although you are responsible for your own life it doesn’t hurt to listen to the advice of professionals who have been helping others like yourself for a long time. Face it, when you were left to your own devices you didn’t do so well. That’s how you got addicted in the first place. You don’t have to take their advice, but it sure can’t hurt to listen and take it under advisement.
Recovery is a life long process. The weeks you spent at the treatment center were just the jump start to get you going towards the rest of your life. AA and NA have daily meetings for a reason. You need them. Find one and go to meetings every day. You’ll find support and insight from other recovering addicts free of charge. Get a sponsor, and let them help you.
Let us hear from you if you have found a successful way to keep yourself on the high road. Your success story might help someone else find their way. If you know someone who is struggling with alcohol or drugs, let them know that there is help available. It’s as close as their phone. A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from them today. Let them know they deserve a better life and tell them how they can find 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
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Monday, December 28, 2009
Family Support is the Key
No doubt your family was part of the reason that you got treatment for your addiction, although they could have done nothing without your agreement and participation in the treatment program. The period right after rehab, is a very high risk time for relapse. Staying clean is your responsibility but there are things that your family can do to make the transition, from treatment back to the community, easier. Their help can increase the odds of your success. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and be humble enough to accept all that they are willing to give. Recovery does not end with rehab.
Many rehab centers have a family component and all family members are encouraged to participate. This resource that is made available to them can help them learn how to support the addict once they leave the center. There are also books available at the local library that will help them understand where you’ve been and how to help keep you from a relapse.
The family home should be void of all drugs, alcohol and intoxicating substances, providing an environment conducive to clean and sober living. If you really wanted the drugs and/or alcohol, you could get them but having them readily available in the home may be too big of a temptation to resist. Many recovering addicts relapse because of poor problem solving and coping skills. During the first few months the family can assist in any areas that are causing you undue stress allowing you to concentrate all of your energy on staying clean.
As your family is taking care of you, they need to be mindful of the fact that they need to take care of themselves at the same time. Your addiction may have caused pain for them and the effects of addiction can ripple through the family even after the addictive behavior is stopped. Professional family counseling or family peer group support services for addicts could help to heal the family unit. Keep in mind that recovery is ongoing and usually gets easier with time.
If your family was instrumental in your recovery, let us know how it worked for you. If you know someone who is having problems with drugs or alcohol let them know that help is only a phone call away. A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from them, to show them the way back.
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
Friday, December 25, 2009
Our Christmas Wish For You
Everyone at A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and the best of the holiday season. In closing, we would also like to share this little Christmas poem with you.
Merry Christmas to all... :-)
My Christmas Wish For You
My Christmas wish for you, my friend
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun
I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer
May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought
May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold
I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year, too ..
We wish you a merry Christmas :)
(author unknown)
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
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Get High on Life
Getting high used to be what your life was all about. It was the driving force you couldn’t ignore. But now, you have kicked that habit to the side of the road. This can be a very exciting time for you. You are changing your world, taking giant steps in the direction you really want to travel to. Your time used to be spent on your addiction. It might have been drugs, or maybe it was alcohol. Regardless, you need to decide how your time will be spent. Now it’s all about getting high on life!
Get back to the basics of life. Take a walk and really check out nature. Smell the flowers, watch the birds, and try to identify the trees. Find a zoo and spend the day. Go horse back riding. Find a quiet and secluded spot to have a picnic with a friend or even by yourself. Go swimming in a lake or pond. Being outside can be very therapeutic. Fresh air and sunshine are natural remedies for the all of the things that ail us.
If you aren’t an outdoors type take a trip to the library and find some good books to read. Most libraries have a good selection of music CD’s and movies too. Find a hobby you can get interested in. Most hobby stores have classes available for their patrons. Knitting and crocheting is not just for little old ladies. Young people and adults, men and women, all have found that the rhythm of working with yarn can be quite peaceful. Don’t laugh until you’ve tried it. Take lessons in toll painting. That doesn’t require as much talent as it does patience. Think about giving ceramics a try. The list of possibilities is endless.
If you have found something different that works for you, let us hear about it. Your idea might be just the thing to keep another addict clean. If someone you know is experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol assure them that there is help available through A Better Tomorrow. All they need to do is make the call, A Better Tomorrow will take care of the rest.
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
Get back to the basics of life. Take a walk and really check out nature. Smell the flowers, watch the birds, and try to identify the trees. Find a zoo and spend the day. Go horse back riding. Find a quiet and secluded spot to have a picnic with a friend or even by yourself. Go swimming in a lake or pond. Being outside can be very therapeutic. Fresh air and sunshine are natural remedies for the all of the things that ail us.
If you aren’t an outdoors type take a trip to the library and find some good books to read. Most libraries have a good selection of music CD’s and movies too. Find a hobby you can get interested in. Most hobby stores have classes available for their patrons. Knitting and crocheting is not just for little old ladies. Young people and adults, men and women, all have found that the rhythm of working with yarn can be quite peaceful. Don’t laugh until you’ve tried it. Take lessons in toll painting. That doesn’t require as much talent as it does patience. Think about giving ceramics a try. The list of possibilities is endless.
If you have found something different that works for you, let us hear about it. Your idea might be just the thing to keep another addict clean. If someone you know is experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol assure them that there is help available through A Better Tomorrow. All they need to do is make the call, A Better Tomorrow will take care of the rest.
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
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Don’t Ignore Depression
Getting yourself on the road to recovery from addiction is a major step in your life. There is no guarantee that everything during your recovery will go smoothly. As a matter of fact, about the only thing you can be sure of is that it won’t be a perfect bowl of cherries.
There will be a few pits along the way so be prepared.
If you think you are having problems with depression, you most likely are and you need to get some professional help to deal with it. It really is not all that unusual to have some symptoms of depression. You have been to hell and back and if you feel like you need some help don’t hesitate to get it. It may only take a few sessions with a qualified therapist and they may want you to take an antidepressant medication for a while. If it can help you to feel better, do it. There may be some problems that can’t be helped, but this is not one of them.
If you are not sure it is depression there are symptoms you should know about. Do you feel sad or irritable? Have you lost interest in activities that you used to enjoy? Have there been changes in your weight or appetite? Have you noticed changes in your sleep patterns? Do you feel guilty about something? Do you have trouble concentrating, remembering things or making decisions? Do you suffer from fatigue or loss of energy? Do you have restlessness or decreased activity that others have noticed and commented on? Do you feel hopeless or worthless? Have you had thoughts of suicide or death?
The National Mental Health Association believes that if you answered yes to 5 or more questions, you may be suffering from clinical depression. This test is not a replacement for a visit to a mental health professional but it may help you to realize what you need to convey to your healthcare provider.
If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs or alcohol, there is help available. Call A Better Tomorrow and let them get you 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/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
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