Addiction Recovery: Action Steps Part I

Addiction recovery is about action. It’s true that thoughts and emotions influence action, both positively and negatively, but action is what generates change. A person in addiction recovery can have the most positive thoughts and emotions about wanting to recover but still not take the actions necessary for long term recovery. Conversely, a person who has negative thoughts and emotions about what it takes to recover can still take the actions and later realize the benefits. So, while it’s preferable to experience harmony between thought, emotions and actions, it’s ultimately the actions that count, regardless of thought or emotions.

Many recovering addicts have thoughts about using and at times and are emotionally volatile, but if they continue taking recovery actions, they make it through the rough spots and achieve long term addiction recovery and stability. The first action step is to admit there’s a problem and to seek help. The mistake most people make who’re suffering from addiction is they underestimate what it’ll take to stop drinking or using whatever drug is their drug of choice. The person thinks they should have the willpower to stop – they’re embarrassed to ask for help. The problem is that the physical and psychological complications of addiction are more powerful than will power. Recovery takes all the will power a person has, but it takes more than just will power. If it were as easy as using will power, people who start experiencing consequences from drinking or using would just moderate or quit on their own. A big part of addiction, though, is continuing to drink or use a drug of choice in spite of negative consequences.

So, once someone suffering from addiction has realized they have a problem, the first action is to seek help — through AA, church, a therapist, or, more ideally, through professionals who specialize in addiction treatment. Any help is better than none, but seeking help from professionals with specialized knowledge is much more effective. At NewDay Counseling, we operate an Intensive Outpatient Program, so people can get treatment but still work and stay at home, that lasts for 8 weeks – but we offer a free consultation upfront to listen and make recommendations. Sometimes, if the addiction has progressed, detox might be necessary, or inpatient care at a residential facility. If a person is just going through a phase and abusing alcohol or some other drug to deal with a temporary problem, but isn’t addicted, we might recommend education and individual counseling. The key is taking the action to seek help and guidance. We can’t do better than a free consultation — most people find it a relief to finally hear themselves say — I have a problem. We don’t twist arms and we don’t push people – we listen and make recommendations, and then it’s up to the person.

In Part II I’ll write about action steps that follow asking for help. Recovery is all about action. Many addicts have died wanting to get better and to recover, but they died before they took the first action step to seek help.