Getting Sober: Finding Treatment in 2015!
A new year brings new possibilities, new hopes and dreams. For many of us that means making life changes. Often we make a plan to change something about ourselves that will improve our quality of life. For those struggling with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol making a plan to get sober and taking the necessary steps towards recovery can feel a bit overwhelming.
Seeking help often comes at times such as after the New Year when it seems everyone is making New Year resolutions. I call the moment someone accepts or seeks treatment the “window of opportunity”. Every person is different, depending on a variety of factors. This “window of opportunity” can range from five minutes to a whole weekend. This “window of opportunity” or willingness to get help often comes and goes.
As a person in long-term recovery the decision to accept help was the hardest decision I have ever made. Admitting to myfamily and friends that I could not control my own drinking was devastating. I was so emotionally, physically and spiritually sick that I was willing to risk my life in order to protect my addiction. I knew that once I admitted I had a problem and accepted the help that my relationship with alcohol would forever change. The thought of never drinking again was absolutely terrifying!
I am happy to say that my official sobriety date is July 1, 2010 at midnight…literally. I believe for whatever reason I had a “window of opportunity” to help myself. It’s hard to put into words what happened at that very moment. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of hope. I felt a determination like I had never before. I knew getting sober wasn’t going to be easy but for the first time I thought it might be worth it. This moment of possibility turned into a beautiful life in recovery. This moment and the steps that followed saved my life.
I am not the only one with moments like this. Recovering people are all around. People you would never expect are in recovery and share similar experiences, strength and hope. Life in recovery is a life worth fighting for, an exciting future to look forward to.
Admissions Counselor
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen”. – Elizabeth Kubler Ross
Owner, Ron's Pool Service, Inc./ Estomin's Pool & Pressure Cleaning
9 年I thought you were drinking a wine when I saw you last Debra Alessandra.Living in both worlds at various times for me staying straight is like getting high.
Psychotherapist at Private Practice at E.M.Y. Psychotherapy
9 年In response to Kenneth Anderson's comment... I agree that people need to have the will to kick the addiction on their own BUT treatment is there to help you gather your thoughts and not feel alone in the beginning of the recovery process. There is plenty of evidence that tells us we need support such as treatment throughout life changing experiences.
Owner at True to Self Health and Wealth Transformation Coaching Owner at True to Self Counseling Psychotherapy
9 年11 years sober on 2/2/04- Recovery is not for people who need it, or even want it, its for people who are willing to work for it... "We had to find a power by which we could live and it had to be a power greater than ourselves". Treatment saves lives!!!
Children's Book Author
9 年Appropriate article for this day. Twenty Four Hours Jan 6 Keeping sober is the most important thing in my life.?The most important decision I ever made was my decision?to give up drinking. I am convinced that my whole life?depends on not taking that first drink. Nothing in the?world is as important to me as my own sobriety. Everything?I have, my whole life depends on that one thing. Can I afford? ever to forget this, even for one minute?
Founder of HAMS - Harm Reduction for Alcohol
9 年The vast majority of people who kick an addiction do it on their own; there is little evidence that treatment helps