The Joy of Recovery From Addiction

I find that most people are uncomfortable talking about addiction, addiction treatment or addiction recovery. The word addiction is loaded with negatives and stigma still remains. Some people have an image of a skid row “wino”, while others envision a drug addict using a needle in a run down house, and still others might envision the crazed cocaine addict with a crack pipe. Addiction is often perceived by  as a moral failing, or an unfortunate condition caused by lack of will power, or a purposeful consequence of too much irresponsible partying.

I’ve heard many times when discussing addiction and addiction treatment with someone who’s not very familiar with the subject that treatment doesn’t work –usually based on someone they know who went through treatment and started drinking or using drugs again. Even when some acknowledge that addicts stay abstinent in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, they see them as pitiful characters huddled together trying to make it through the day without going back to their old lifestyle.

Although more and more people are learning about addiction and recovery from addiction, there’s still a long way to go. After working in the addiction treatment field for 16 years, I’m encouraged more now than ever before that addiction treatment and recovery will become widely understood as inspirational and life changing. I’ve had the opportunity to witness thousands of addicts receive treatment and transform their lives in recovery. Today I celebrate recovery. I never feel sorry for the addict who comes into treatment — addicts don’t need sympathy, they need empathy and understanding and encouragement and education and a helping hand. If someone just can’t get past their judgements regarding addiction, they can at least not do any harm. I’m a witness that treatment works and recovery is real.

Alcoholics Anonymous has what they call Open Meetings the general public can attend — it’s usually a speaker meeting where someone in recovery tells their story. If you want to witness recovery first hand, go to an open meeting and listen with an open mind. If it doesn’t change you, go to a few more — you’ll eventually understand.