A-Z of Addiction Recovery: L is LET GO

Let Go

It's a difficult thing for many people to ask for help. It takes courage, and the fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. Letting go is about trusting that there is real help for you, and letting it occur. Let go of the past and open your arms to the future you could have in sobriety. Let go of the addiction and let your healthy side ask for professional assistance. Let go and let someone help.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: K is for KEEP

Keep

Keep on keeping on. Keep coming back. Keep at it. Keep the faith. Keep hope alive for a life without alcohol and drugs. Rehab is not a four letter word, and it won't keep you from doing other things in your busy life. With an outpatient treatment program in San Diego, you can still work, go to school, or be home caring for your kids. Come three evenings a week from 6:30-9:30 pm and start aobriety. You don't have to keep drinking or drugging to cope. Keep that in mind.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: J is for JOIN

Join

Regain a sense of belonging. When people isolate themselves from others, they forget that others can help them. Join a support group, a therapist, a 12 step meeting, or a treatment program and join together for mutual support, help and recovery. You are not alone.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: I is for INVITE

Invite

Invite others to help you. It's OK to ask for help and invite support into your life. Imagine what you want, so it can be given to you. Invite the good to come into your life and be willing to receive it like a welcomed guest. For too long isolation may have been the way to live with addiction, but in recovery we invite others to come along on the journey. The "I" road becomes a "We" road. An invitation to recover is extended to you now at Lasting Recovery.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: H is for HEAR

Hear

Learn to listen. We've been listening to the memories of intoxicants but now its' time to listen to the voice of recovery that beckons from within. Hear what your needs are, hear what you need to listen to. Are other people telling you that you have a drinking problem? A drug problem? What are you hearing from others that you haven't wanted to hear? What do you need to listen to? Hear what they have to say. Listen and hear the messages that are just for you. What do you hear?

A-Z of Addiction Recovery - G is for GRATITUDE

Gratitude

Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is a gift that many recovering people are grateful for. Being grateful means appreciating what we have; it acknowledges the blessings all around us every day. This "attitude of gratitude" keeps us humble, teachable, and open to receive more good in our lives. It's hard to see the good when addiction has taken over a person's life, but with help, recovery is possible, and gratitude is one of the keys to a loving heart and a peaceful mind.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: F is for FEARLESS

Fearless

Learn that fear is just not enough information about what alcohol and drug treatment program is right for you. What is the best 12 step meeting and yoga class for you to be in and grow? Be courageous, develop trust and faith, and learn from others who have taken that first step. FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Don't let it keep you from going where you want to go. Facing recovery is a much better choice than living with an addiction, which is much more scary. People who have walked the recovery path before you have felt their fear and did it anyway.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery - E is for EMBRACE

Embrace

We begin to chart a new course in our lives only by embracing the need for change. Embrace the idea that things can be better for you and life can and will be more rewarding than its ever been. Embrace positive thoughts about the future and your abilities to bring about the happiness you deserve. Embrace the abundance the universe wants to give to you right now. Embrace recovery for yourself.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: D is for DETACH

Detach

Detaching means letting go of the alcohol and drugs, or letting go of someone you are trying to control so they won't use alcohol or drugs. Detach and step away from the problem or the person so you have enough space to be more objective, and less attached to the chemical or the outcome of a relationship. We learn we can't control anything outside of ourselves, so we detach and put our focus only on ourselves and what we CAN do. It even helps to detach from ourselves and not take ourselves or our emotional state so seriously. It will change. Detach from the addictive behaviors and learn new skills and enjoy a life without turning to chemicals. Detachment is a gift we give ourselves so we can feel at peace.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery - C is for CHOOSE

Choose

When an addiction takes over the life of an individual, the person loses the ability to choose. The alcoholic does not ask, "Should I drink today?" They just drink. The drug addict does not decide to use drugs, once the addiction has control of the mind, it loses the power to choose, and just uses. In choosing recovery, many new options open up that were once undreamed of. Choosing how and when to get help, choosing abstinence with support that you have chosen, and then choosing the path you want to take to continue your recovery are all very empowering. Put the power of choice to work by choosing something different today - something worthwhile. It's your choice.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery - B is for BEGIN

Begin

Begin some where. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This is true of recovery as well - going to that first AA meeting, calling someone for help for the first time, or making an intake appointment at a treatment center. This is where recovery begins, with a decision to change and an action to start in that direction, however small. Recovery is all about baby steps - when taken together they will add up to a giant leap of growth and healing. Begin.

A-Z of Addiction Recovery: A is for ACCEPT

Accept

"Accepting is the conscious choice to the journey of recovery." - Judy Saalinger

Until we have accepted something, we cannot change it. Until we acknowledge the need, we cannot meet the need. Accepting that something is wrong is the beginning of working towards what is right. Accepting "powerlessness" over an addiction paradoxically creates the power to heal from it, gaining the power of self and the power of the universe to overcome the affliction. Accepting help is essential for growth. We do not grow by ourselves - we need others. We accept ourselves as human beings who make mistakes sometimes and we accept that recovery is possible for us. Accept yourself the way you are - the good and the bad - and work from there.