Getting ready for recovery

Choosing to seek treatment for addiction is the first step in the long journey to reclaim a life that has been damaged by substance abuse. But for some people, that journey can be more roundabout than for others. While some who seek treatment are able to conquer their addictions right away, the majority of people with addictions find themselves in treatment multiple times. Often, these people are seeking treatment to pacify someone else or because they think it’s something they’re just supposed to do. But recovery seems to be most effective for people who are fully ready and committed — which may require a few tries to get it right.

Professional musician Tony abused both drugs and alcohol for years. Then he finally reached a point when he decided that he’d had enough. “Have you had enough yet?” he questioned. “If not, you’re going to have another. You have to truly have enough of it all — you have to reach that desperation. When you get to that point, it’s time to go.”

Through commitment, support and hard work, he fought off his demons and is now 31 years sober. It’s a battle Tony will continue to fight for the rest of his life, but the skills and awareness he found in treatment have given him an upper hand over addiction. He said, “In order to make a change, I had to receive the gift of desperation. There was no other choice.

When you get there — whatever your problem — just know there is hope.” Sally, a young mother of two who suffered from an addiction to opiates, also reached rock bottom before finding a new commitment to her recovery process. “You have to be ready to make this change,” she said. “If you’re not, you’re wasting your time. You have to be ready to get your life back.”

When Sally finally came to the realization that she was hurting her children and family, she decided it was time to make a change. Six months later, she’s grateful.

“It’s the scariest thing that I’ve ever done — and I’ve had babies and cancer,” she said. “But it does get better. Sharing your feelings releases the pain that you have been hiding for so long; you are able to come out of the dark tunnel you have dug for yourself. Even though you are with a group of strangers at first in rehab, you will find it easier to express feelings because they have been there, done that, like you have.”Tony and Sally are but two examples among millions of people who have made the decision to reclaim their lives. Both had to reach a level of desperation, and try multiple times, before they found a way through to recovery. And while it’s no easy undertaking, it’s worth every bit of effort. The payoff is a life of clarity and hope.

Tony and Sally are but two examples among millions of people who have made the decision to reclaim their lives. Both had to reach a level of desperation, and try multiple times, before they found a way through to recovery. And while it’s no easy undertaking, it’s worth every bit of effort. The payoff is a life of clarity and hope.

One recovering addict, an inspiration leader named Alex, put it like this: “Recovery is like inertia. It takes a hell of a lot of sweat and tears to get rolling, but once you do, it only requires some maintenance and direction to sustain.”


Issues |Addiction|Health, Mental


Region |Washington DC

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