Alcohol Addiction Help Post Rehab

Once an alcoholic has completed a stint in rehab, it can be easy to brush aside the idea of seeking out continued alcohol addiction help. Many feel the need to celebrate, collect the scattered pieces, and pick back up where they left off. Unfortunately, this plan of action often results in relapse, ultimately placing the individual in line for repeat rehabilitation visits and a spot in line at the recovery start point. In order to avoid this vicious cycle, it’s important for alcoholics to acknowledge the need for post rehab help to aid in ensuring a fulfilling, happy and long-lasting sobriety.

12 Steps To Happiness

12 step recovery programs are often introduced to rehabilitation patients during their initial recovery period. These meetings help break up the recovery process into bite-sized, digestible portions, meant to keep the alcoholic focused, driven and on track with their sobriety goal. As most addicts learn during meetings, recovery is far from a black and white process. Rarely does an alcoholic wake up to find themselves completely rid of the desire to drink. Rather, the process for many involves years… even decades of commitment and perseverance. As such, it’s largely encouraged for recovering alcoholics to adhere to a strict schedule in regard to meeting attendance and participation. With support comes confidence. With confidence comes… well whatever you put your mind to.

Living Sober

Another option for recovering alcoholics post rehab is sober living. A sober living home refers to a property outside the rehabilitation community where by recovering addicts are able to make the transition back into society in a structured and sober environment. Residents of these facilities must obtain and retain employment and/or education through an accredited institution. Residents must also adhere to a strict set of rules in regard to appearance, hygiene, demeanor, sleep schedules and of course, sobriety (random drug testing is an inevitability). By keeping to the schedule and rules set before them, residents are able to earn responsibility and privileges. Failure to abide to house rules can results in various consequences up to and including eviction. Many addicts choosing to place themselves in a sober living establishment are able to grasp hold of the challenges before them; ultimately setting themselves up for the happy, long-lasting sobriety they’ve been searching for.

Considerations

Every case is different. What may work for some, may not necessarily work for others. Those considering the options outlined above should be encouraged to speak with their addiction counselors prior to rehab completion in order to ensure any necessary arrangements are in place. Trust your gut and shoot for the win. You’re only as good as you truly know you are. 

The Newcomers Guide To 12 Step Recovery Programs

Interested in learning the ins and outs of 12 step recovery programs? The entry below will provide you with a few tips to get you started.

-       The best place to begin your journey with the 12 steps is from the bottom up: Step #1 – Admit that we are powerless over our addiction, and that our lives have become unmanageable. This initial step serves as an introduction and base from which to grow from throughout our time in the program.

-       Locate an in-person meeting in the area in which you live. Most all meetings have people with varying levels of wisdom, sobriety and experience, whom will be able to acquaint you with the program. Don’t be scared… you will likely be surprised by the positive reception! Additional alcohol addiction help can be found via social network recovery sites and online meetings. These options may be a little less personal, but can be very convenient when time and travel are opposing factors.

-       Choose a sponsor to help you stay accountable. It may take a few meetings to locate a good fit, but by simply taking the time and initiative to ask around, you shouldn’t run into much trouble. Use your better judgment when selecting a sponsor to ensure you’re working with someone who has your and their best interests at heart.

-       Move through the steps in order. Support throughout this process can be obtained through your sponsor and other AA members. Additional resources can be found online through support sites and forums. Some may also consider utilizing texts, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous’ Big Book.

-       The quicker you’re able to think objectively and hold yourself accountable, the more positive your life will become. The sooner you begin utilizing your 12 step program addiction resources, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy the sober and happy lifestyle you deserve.

Alcohol Addiction Help – Benefits Of A Sober Living Community

In order to get the most out of sober living, Los Angeles patients must commit themselves completely to the recovery process. In addition to 12 step recovery programs, counseling, and structure, the benefits of associated with sober homes include a dedicated and supportive sober atmosphere, positive community living, and the guidance patients need to integrate themselves back into regular society.

Many patients who have completed an inpatients rehabilitation program have not taken the proper time to consider the possibility of sober living arrangements. In this entry, we will offer up a few of the many benefits associated with these facilities to provide you with a better outlook in regard to what a patient should expect to gain from the process.

-       Sobriety Focus

-       Sober living facilities provide residents with the ability to focus on their recovery in a positive and dedicated atmosphere.

-       Transitional Living

-       Facilities offer patients a middle point between the sheltered inpatient rehab facility experience and “real” life. Residents are afforded the ability the regain their independence and sense of self while residing in an alcohol and drug-free environment.

-       Life Skills Development

-       Due to the fact that addiction is centered on the need to obtain and abuse alcohol or drugs, many addicts find themselves neglecting other aspects of their lives to facilitate their use habits. A sober living home provides residents the ability to grow – or regrow – day-to-day skills, including work duties, education, housework, fitness and social encounters.

-       Routine Schedules

-       Prior to receiving alcohol addiction help, it’s not uncommon for patient’s waking and sleep schedules to become somewhat erratic. A sober living community works to encourage regular schedules; in turn creating positive time management habits once “normal life” is resumed.

-       Sober Network Expansion

-       In many instances, friendships must be reevaluated upon completion of a rehabilitation program. Sober living provides residents with a community of people dedicated to a sober, positive and healthy lifestyle. 

Rules Of 12 Step Recovery Programs

When considering attendance at 12 step recovery programs, it’s important to obtain a basic understanding of program rules and guidelines. In this entry we will seek to outline these regulations to prepare you for your visit.

Truth be told, there is only one true requirement for AA membership: The desire to stop drinking. This tradition is #3 of the 12 traditions outlined throughout the Alcoholics Anonymous program, and is commonly read aloud during each meeting. If you’re just beginning your recovery, you may not be aware of the power these traditions hold; you may not have even known they existed prior to reading this!

The best way to comprehend the traditions is through comparison to the 12 steps. Where as the 12 steps apply to the individual; the 12 traditions apply to the group as a whole.

While this lonely tradition may seem fairly self explanatory, there is more to it than initially meets the eye. Tradition #3 entails a member’s desire to quit drinking, making the declaration of being an alcoholic, and placing a focus on the alcohol addiction even in cases where the individual is addicted to multiple substances.

“Desire” is a tricky little point to focus on. What one member perceives as desire may not do the trick initially… It may actually be more of a wish that anything else. In order to get the most out of a 12 step program addiction, members commit themselves full-heartedly to the process.

This doesn’t go to say that someone perceiving desire is not welcome to receive alcohol addiction help; Desire does not designate a promise, but rather a high level of intent. What may initially begin as wishful thinking or a desire perception may ultimately blossom into full-fledged desire with time. As such, it’s important to understand that AA membership takes little more than a declaration of membership. However, the true and potential results of the program will only be realized with dedication and “true” desire from an individual intent on improving their own situation.