Recovery feels like an impossible goal when you struggle with addiction. The relapses and setbacks discourage all hope. It is not just the cravings for the substance you fight but the cravings for the anticipation of using again. You miss the rituals of obtaining and preparing the substances as much as the high. You hate the consequences of using but you miss the comfort and reliability of the substance almost like an old, trusted friend.

The times you cleaned up for a few months, boredom set in which sent you back to use. Then there was the time you just wanted to test yourself, “Just this one drink, I can handle just one.”

It was not always anger or sadness that caused a relapse, it was also happy and celebratory events when you picked up again.

The lost time, the lost relationships, the lost sense of self-control takes its toll. You want to change. You fantasize of substance use without consequences. But the consequences add up and now you think about quitting…again. You are not sure you have the ability to make the change and stick with it this time. There have been so many tries before.

Change is possible

Recovery is possible with a treatment that fits you. Each of us is unique. Addiction is unique. Recovery requires a unique plan to meet your individual needs. If you are reading this right now, you are thinking about making a change. This is the first step. Thinking about change. With the right treatment, you can develop this thought into lasting behaviors. It is a long process but you can achieve it. Millions of people experience the bumps, crashes and detours of recovery but eventually stay on the road of recovery.

If you address your needs in treatment with honesty and commitment, examine why you turned to substances in the first place, explore your shame, and build the skills to manage stress, unrealistic expectations, or other causes of your use; recovery is attainable.

What treatment involves

You find the treatment that works for you. You work on the issues at the root of your addiction. You stick with it. You rebuild a sober life by practicing recovery skills every day the rest of your life. That is your recovery in a nutshell.

The longer your history of addiction, and the type of substances used, impacts the length of time and effort required for sobriety. Psychological and emotional issues may also be factors. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all. Not every person requires a medically supervised, inpatient treatment program to recover. But if you are willing to accept whatever level of care is needed to recover, your chances of recovery are greater.

Addiction treatment with a professional counselor starts with a thorough assessment. If you work with me, we will design a treatment program that builds on the existing supports in your life. You develop your strengths. My priority is your recovery. I want you to succeed. I have seen the joy of changed lives and want that for you.

In my years working with people in treatment the only ones I have seen experience long-term success, built a sober network for support. Designing this support is part of treatment that is a non-negotiable. It is your choice if it is family, church, 12-Step, support group, psychiatrist… But lone-wolfing recovery with only a weekly therapy appointment is not a choice. I will not enable a feeble attempt at recovery. Therapy is only one aspect of recovery. Your goal is total recovery. It takes a network.

If making therapy part of your recovery network sounds interesting to you but you may harbor some of the following suspicions and doubts.

I can do 12 step groups, why do therapy too?

Support groups are an important part of recovery for many people. Being with others who have been there is very helpful. Individual work with a therapist allows you to take more time to explore your own issues. Trauma, grief, or abuse may be in your history and work with a professional trained in this will be more beneficial to your recovery. Sometimes group work can re-traumatize a person. This is why a thorough assessment will inform your best treatment.

The cost of therapy is too much since it is just talking.

How much is recovery worth to you? How much did you spend a week on your drug or alcohol? Yes, it is just talking. But it is also about learning. Learning skills to help you navigate recovery – from managing triggers to stress to family disagreements to job pressures. It is also about healing. To be in a therapeutic relationship and practice rebuilding trust, thriving in vulnerability, and experiencing acceptance is part of the healing of recovery.

I have tried and tried to quit but I keep failing. What is the use trying again?

I hear about people who stopped using substances on the first try. Just put it down and never picked up again. I have never met a person who did that. But I hear about it. I am not saying it does not happen but it is not the typical story. It is very normal to have a series of relapses. The goal is to shorten the length of the run after the relapse and then learn from it. Really pay attention to what precipitated picking up again, to learn what to do differently next time. Keep in mind the famous saying: “It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count, it’s how many times you get back up.”

Next Steps

I have worked in substance abuse treatment programs for several years. I have assessed hundreds of people. Developed treatment plans and counseled them in many stages of recovery. I work with addictions to any substance from marijuana, alcohol, prescription medications, cocaine, meth, crack, or heroin. I view treatment as scaffolding around a building’s remodel job. Treatment provides the support for you to do the work
on your self.

If you are ready to start rebuilding your life by tackling addiction start with downloading the free offering, “Ten Things to Tell Yourself to Avoid Healing.” Read through the list of denial strategies to educate your self about ways you get in the way of making healthy changes.

Then make a call and let’s get to work.